Marikoji Provides Individual Enrichment Courses

Flower ArrangementFlower arrangement to decorate a tea ceremony room is different from what you might expect. Here you will learn how to arrange flowers for a tea ceremony. A well-experienced and licensed teacher will guide you through the steps of creating classic tea ceremony arrangements. You will pick two different kinds of seasonal flowers and learn how to arrange them in a vase to match the tea ceremony room. Arranged flowers are set in front of a gilded folding screen, and you are welcome to take pictures sitting beside your arrangement.
Tea CeremonyYou will experience sitting on Tatami mat in a typical Japanese style room. A licensed teacher will teach you all about the ceremony. The tea ceremony is not just about making green tea! You will be shown how to decorate the tea room alcove with the flowers you have arranged. Then, you will be taught how to offer greetings in a tea ceremony room using a fan, how to enter the room and walk on the Tatami mats, and how to appreciate the flowers and the hanging scroll decorated in the alcove. You will learn how to make green tea, of course, but you will also learn how to eat sweets served before green tea, and finally, how to drink green tea.
Wearing Japanese KimonoWe have prepared beautiful Kimonos made from silk. They were all made in Kyoto around 1955. You may choose one Kimono and Obi from our collection and you will be shown how to wear them. If you wish you to wear them first and move on to the flower arrangement and tea ceremony classes, you may. *Kimonos are good for ladies who are between 150 cm and 165 cm tall. men who are between 170 cm and 185 cm tall.If you cannot find the right size to wear, you may want to wear a Haori coat or Samue which JapaneseZen Buddhist monks wear.
Optional Course　CalligraphyUsing traditional brush and ink, you will be shown how to draw Japanese Kanji characters. You will learn how to mount your work on a Shikishi or a hard cardboard-like paper.CertificateAfter taking classes, you will receive a certificate for each course along with the flowers that you have arranged.

It was once said that it was essential for women who wished to become wives to learn how to arrange flowers and prepare green tea in Kyoto. These days this is not the case. Rather, many people including men have become fond of learning Japanese traditions. Why not experience these wonderful traditions in a 100-year-old Kyoto-style house? You will see how Kyoto ladies used to immerse themselves in these classic traditions.