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is less than three feet square. Notice the broom hanging on the outer wall of the hut. This is
to clear fallen leaves or snow from the path before guests arrive. Guests remove their shoes
before entering the hut, thus the sandals below the opening. Notice also the sky light in the
thatched roof for moon viewing or allowing reflected light from snow to illuminate the
small dark hut. Yuin was declared an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
The Tea Garden.
The garden path, called roji (“dewy path”), leading to the teahouse was also constructed
with care. The path was usually marked by irregular stepping stones interspersed with moss
and other plants. Walking along the roji guests can prepare themselves for the tea gathering.
They leave behind the cares of their daily life, the bustle of the city, and savor the fresh
smells and sights of this miniature wilderness. Depending on the size of the garden, the path
may be punctuated with a stone lantern, a small pond or stream, and always by a stone
basin filled with water for guests to rinse their mouths and hands before entering the tea
room.
Activity/Discussion
1) What does it mean to designate a place an Important Cultural Property? In Japan, there
are also Living National Treasures (also known as holders of Intangible Cultural Properties—masters
of traditional Japanese crafts recognized by the government) and National
Treasures (objects deemed to be of supreme significance to Japanese identity and protected
by the government). Working in groups, have students brainstorm to nominate
Living National Treasures (living people) and National Treasures (objects) familiar to
them (can be from any culture they know.) Have them present to the class (or write an
essay) about their nomination(s) and reasons for their selections.
2) Create your own three-dimensional tea house. (See Activity 4)
Show students this slide and talk about the different components of the tea house
(crawl-through door, tatami mat seating, tokonoma, stone basin, and dewy path). Discuss
wabi aesthetics of the Japanese tea house (use of unpainted wood, thatched roof,
plain brown walls, minimal interior decoration, beautiful garden setting).
Xerox and distribute the diagrams in Activity 4. Explain that tea masters like Sen Rikyu
and Sen Sotan designed tea houses using three dimensional models like the ones they
are about to create. They used these models to visualize their design in three dimensions;
to carefully chose spatial relationships and try out different placements of doors,
windows, etc.
Have students color and build their tea house. They may like to collect pebbles, twigs,
leaves and other natural materials to decorate their garden. They may also prepare a
miniature hanging scroll and flowers for their tokonoma inside the tea house. Tea masters
usually gave their tea houses interesting names, such as “Further Retreat,” “Cold
Cloud Arbor,” and “Hut of Uncertainty.” Have students devise a name for their own
retreats.
Asian Art Museum Education Department