L L B C (11) Autumn leaves

Autumn leaves

🗾   L's Life in a Big City  (11)   🗾

This summer, Japan experienced very fierce heat. Especially, the temperature in August rose up quite high. And, the trend continued in September. And also, the summer days appeared quite often in October. At the beginning of November, we still felt hotness. Then quite suddenly, the coldness covered Japan. So, we didn't have refreshing Autumn this year.

For the trees, if I think for them, the situation was same as the humans. Autumn leaves, leaves beautifully changed to red and yellow didn't attract us this year. This unnormal weather is not special phenomenon this year, according to the specialist. I happened to bump into this tree whose leaves changed to red, so I recorded as a memoria. We may not expect to appreciate this beauty next year. 

 <I'll draw several figures of hot summer days and summer days in Tokyo.>

🌞August: this year's hot summer days = 31days, last year's = 21days

🌞September: this year's hot summer days = 20 days, last year's = 12 days 

🌞October: this year's summer days = 11 days, last year's = 7 days 

🌞November: this year's summer days = 3 days, last year's = zero   

 Battle ship at the end of the feudal era

This time, we'd like to describe battle ships at the end of the feudal era. The beginning of manufacturing of battle ships would start in the Sengoku (戦国) era (the Warring States period). Described previously, the manufacturing of battle ships was prohibited by the government at that time when the Edo (江戸) era began. And long time had passed until the restart of the production. 

The restart was very end of the Edo era, and also, after the incident named 'the arrival of Perry.' This incident was one of the very important occurrences in the Japan's long history. The history of the restart would be the re-beginning of the Japan's naval force, but more importantly, the beginning of the breakdown of the Edo shogunate. 

This story which happened 170 years ago isn't enough time-honored for some readers, however, at least, you would be surprised at many different eras the word 'battle ship' was associated.

Now, we'd overview the history of 'battle ships.' From the very beginning of the Japan's history, the relationship between Japan and China was inseparable.
The ships visited China in the very old time were supposed to be so-called large-ships. But we don't think these ships were the battle ships. Then, about 900 years ago (the end of the Heian (平安) era), several large scale battles were fought near the ocean (e.x. the Battle of Dannoura (壇ノ浦の戦い)). And many ships were used for the battles. 

These ships wouldn't be called 'battle ships,' because these were diverted merchant ships and multiple-purpose ships.

  
About 600 years ago (the Muromachi (室町) era), several large-ships were made for the international trade between Japan and China. 

Because the trade became active and Japanese people at that time wanted large-ships withstanding ocean voyages. And they were made for commerce but for battles. These ships' capacity was around 100 people.

Moreover, another kind of smaller ships for ocean voyages were produced in Japan near the Korean Peninsula. These ships were used for the piracy. We'd like to call the ships were the first battle ships made in Japan. 

Then the Sengoku era was came. And during this era, internal battles got more serious and enlarging of battle ships' size also became stimulated seriously. The first appeared battle ship was called 'Kobaya (小早).' They were made by pirates who were active in the Inland Sea (瀬戸内海). These groups made modifications to attack other ships. These ships had 10 to 20 meters length and the crews were 20 to 50.

According to enlarging of pirate group size, they came to develop the lager ships which were used to take commanders on. Then, the larger ships than 'Kobaya' were made and they were called 'Sekibune (関船).'
These ships had 20 to 30 meters length and the crews were 50 to 150.

And next, navy force people became to think that larger ships had advantages in the situation of navy battles. Then, they invented large ships which were called 'Atakebune (安宅船).' These ships had 30 to 50 meters length and the crews were 100 to 500. In particular, over 50 meters were especially called 'O-atakebune (大安宅船).'

 
In this era, Japanese battle ships were highly innovated. And numerous naval battles developed innovation, furthermore, famous episodes related with navy were created.

 
For instance, there was a tale in which Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) invented 'Atakebune' to battle against the Mouri (毛利) group. Because the Mouri group had many pirate subordinates and were assumed to have the dominance in the naval battle fields. So, Oda Nobunaga made 'Atakebune' (enormous sized battle ship) and the Oda (織田) group won the battle.

Then the trend of enlargement of battle ships was started. Let us tell you something, after the incident described above, no major naval battle happened in-country, especially between enlarged battle ships. So, we slightly doubt how epoch-making this Oda Nobunaga's invention was.

In this era, many European countries brought many ships withstanding ocean voyages for missionary work and international trade. For the sake of these activities, Japanese got arquebuses (matchlock guns) and cannons. These newly arrived weapons had impacts on civil wars in Japan. If we highlight the European countries' ships, they were merchant ships but battle ships. Even though merchant ships, they equipped many cannons and strong fighting capability better than all Japanese battle ships.

To our surprise, the parties involved (Japanese war-lords) didn't want to learn the secret of European ships. Why? Maybe, European side avoided to sell ships or instruct technologies, if somebody would have wanted to learn them.

At the end of this era, the civil war was over and Japan was reunited. 

And, Japanese warriors invaded the Korean Peninsula. They overestimated the ability of 'O-atakebune (大安宅船)' which got good results in the naval battle-fields in Japan.

However, the opposite way happened which they expected. 

In the first place, they needed to doubt the durability of their giant-ships when they voyaged to the Korean Peninsula. 

Because the situation was dramatically changed comparing the voyage of the Inland Sea. 

Furthermore, the naval battles themselves between Korean navy was also unexpected results. 

Japanese expected that larger battle ships would overwhelm smaller Korean battle ships.

The result was kind of tragedy. The opposite also happened. Before this invasion, Korean battle ships had already been fighting against Japanese pirates' battle ships long time. And Korean navy had developed firearms (cannons) to counteract 'Kobaya' (Japanese small scale battle ships). The ability of their firearms were also produced good results against Japan's giant battle ships.

While, Japanese battle ships had no experience with foreign navies. So, Japanese battle ships had added improvements against smaller firearms (matchlock guns) only. Japanese giant battle ships were active if the opposite navy also used matchlock guns.

And also, when Japanese bought cannons, the merchants were Europeans. So, they were rare and expensive. (On the other hand, Korean could buy cannons from China, so they had advantage according to equipment.) Japanese giant battle ships lost their dominance in the naval battle field around Korean coastal area. 

The end of the civil wars and the establishment of the Edo shogunate resulted in the stop of battle ships' production. To be specific, the shogunate ordered prohibition on building large ships. It was the order to 'Daimyo (大名)' (feudal lords). The shogunate prohibited larger size ships above a certain scale. And they declared that if some 'Daimyo' violated the order, they would attack the 'Daimyo'.

 

The prohibition of larger size ships caused trouble for the domestic marine transportation. So, the prohibition didn't apply only for merchant ships and the productions of them were allowed. However, these newly made merchant ships were used only for the domestic use. So, extreme enlargement didn't happen during the Edo era. For instance, large size merchant ship named 'Sengokubune (千石船)' had less than 30 meters length and the crews were 10 to 15. If we compare 'Sengokubune' with the battle ships in the Sengoku era, it will be 'Sekibune.'

🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢

Very important incident for the Japanese history happened in 1853. It was the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry. (He was one of the most famous foreigner of Japan because of the impact of this incident.) Soon after the incident, the order of prohibition of larger size ships was canceled. (The order had notified in 1609.) At the result, Japanese battle ships' production restarted after 244 years.

　
Perry fleet's action was a business activity to expand their market for USA. On the other hand, for Japanese at that time, it was the changing the status quo by force. So, majority of them couldn't accept Perry's request. 
  
Even though Japanese government had been choosing the closed-door policy, they had information connecting foreign ships. After 1853, because of the prohibition's cancellation they restarted the construction of a battle ship using technology of western countries.

This battle ship was 'Houo (鳳凰)' (1854). It had 36 meters length and equipped 10 cannons but not equipped a steam engine. And expected crew number isn't clear. According to the Internet, it was handed over. We suppose the meaning of 'handed over' is 'transferred to certain private sector. (For your information, 'USS Susquehanna' which was the flagship of the Perry fleet had 76 meters length equipped 9 cannons and the crews were about 300.)

The fact they could construct 'Houo' means they already had the knowledge and capability of constructing western ships. However, 'Houo' was a western style sailing ship but speaking of details, constructing technique of Japanese style ships was used widely. And more than anything, they didn't have the knowledge and capability of constructing steam engine ships. 

The first steam engine ship of Japan was 'Kanko (観光)' which had presented from Netherland in 1855. And, it had 53 meters length and 6 cannons, and made in 1850. (Finally, it was demolished in 1876.)

We'd like to introduce the most famous Japanese steam engine ship, 'Kanrin (咸臨).' Japanese government at that time (= the Edo shogunate) bought it from Netherland in 1857. It traveled across the Pacific Ocean by only Japanese crews in 1859.

 
Purpose of the travel was to exchange an instrument of treaty ratification. And to show the ability of the Japanese navy, they tried the dangerous travel. The ship safely arrived in San Francisco. The Japanese navy could show off the ability of them to the world.

 

There were only 8 years from the great job of 'Kanrin' to the end of the feudal era. During this time, the shogunate and 'Daimyo,' regional feudal lords bought many western style battle ships and built up their military forces. The number of battle ships was over 110. Many of them were steam engine ships and around 30 were sailing ships.

In this period of time, there wasn't a battle between Japanese battle ships and foreign battle ships. But, between Japanese battle ships, happened several times.

 
For instance, the shogunate battle ships fought against Daimyo's battle ships in 1866. Furthermore, after the Edo shogunate abandoned the government, the remnants of the shogunate stole the battle ships. The remnants' battle ships fought against the new government's battle ships in 1868. 

If we talk about what lay ahead at the end of the feudal era, next era was the Meiji (明治). During the Meiji era, the next government prioritized ruling of the ocean around the Japanese archipelago.

During the Japanese-Russo War, a world-famous naval battle happened (The battle of the Sea of Japan). However, it happened after the end of the samurai's era.

   
We suppose the battle ships' history at the end of the feudal era was the history changing the status quo by foreign force. It was start from zero. So, we think Japanese government at that time was quite good. 

However, if someone say they did nothing noticeable, we cannot counter.

 

Sight words: Shoin 

A foreign traveler asked on one occasion "What is Shoin (書院) ?" We were looking at an information board of a historical building. In the building there was several "Shoin" room. One "Shoin" room looked like a reception room wide enough, where many people seemed to gather there. Another "Shoin" room looked like a neat Japanese room that was consisted with 2 small tatami-rooms. If I were the owner, I would use this one as "den" or "tea ceremony room."

I couldn't explain the difference of the same name rooms, so, I searched a description paper of the building. The former example is explained as "space for official audiences." The latter example is explained as "soothing space." Then, why these quite different rooms were named same name, "Shoin (書院)" ?

Because "Shoin (書院)" was a style. There was no functional meaning in the name of the room. If the style meets the requirements, the room can be called "Shoin (書院)." However, how these rooms were called was according to the owner's opinion or somebody's decision. 

"Shoin (書院)" is the room with "Alcove for display (床の間), Staggered shelves (違い棚), Writing stall (付書院), Ornamental doors (帳台構)." I don't know the exact definition, but, if there isn't "Alcove (床の間)," the room wouldn't be called "Shoin (書院)." Other decorative parts aren't necessary, I suppose. If "Shoin (書院)" is for official audiences, it will be required to equipt full decorations. But if another "Shoin (書院)" is only for the owner's soothing, minimum decorations will need for the space.

Originally, "Shoin (書院)" was invented by samurai as kind of "den" during the Muromachi (室町) era (about 6 hundreds years ago). This style of the room was developed as personal space especially for high-status people. At that time, samurai's status rose in position, and sometimes his "Shoin (書院)" was used when he decided kind of political decisions. Accordingly, "Shoin (書院)" came to be used as space for official audiences. After the Muromachi era, when the Azuchi-Momoyama era (1573-1598) came, "Shoin (書院)" was initiatively made in the residences of castle lords. "Shoin (書院)" was used as main meeting room or official audience room. Because the wide "Shoin (書院)" equipped full decorations represented the dignity of the castle lords. 

In the sightseeing places all around Japan, there are many historical buildings made during the Azuchi-Momoyama (安土桃山) era or imitations of the buildings at that time. We have many chances to encounter "Shoin (書院)." When you see the word "Shoin (書院)," please remember this small info.

L L B C (10) Japanese plum tree

 Japanese plum tree

🗾   L's Life in a Big City  (10)   🗾

Early March is the season when Japanese plum blossoms are in full bloom. The flowers are graceful, elegant and pretty. 

But having said that, I think Japanese cherry blossoms are more popular. Once they begin to bloom, the atmosphere changes and everybody focuses on them. On the contrary, Japanese plum blossoms are a little less popular. Even among Japanese people, the flowering of plum blossoms is not so much passionately accepted. 

The information about the flowering is treated like local news. In a news show, if there is a big news, it will be omitted sometimes. Even though, you should visit Japanese plum trees' gardens. 

By the way, the Wikipedia tells something:

"Its common names include Chinese plum, Japanese plum, and Japanese apricot. The tree's flowering in late winter and early spring is highly regarded as a seasonal symbol. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting and poetry of Sinospheric countries is usually called plum blossom."

And also said:

"Plum blossoms have bee well loved and celebrated across the East Asian cultural sphere. They are often mentioned in Japanese poetry as a symbol of spring, as well as elegance and purity. When used in haiku (俳句) or renga (連歌), they are a kigo (季語) or season word for early spring."

In my opinion, haiku is still doing pretty well but renga is not the culture popular nowadays. And if the writer mentioned 'haiku' and 'renga', why he didn't come up with 'tanka (短歌) ?

"The blossoms are associated with the Japanese bush warbler and depicted together on one of the twelve suits of hanafuda (花札) (Japanese playing cards). Plum blossoms were favored during the Nara (奈良) period (710-794) until the emergence of the Heian (平安) period (794-1185) in which the cherry blossom was preferred."

The Japanese bush warbler is one of popular birds in Japan. So, I think it's a good point he mentioned the relationship between plum blossom and Japanese bush warbler. However, in my opinion, hanafuda is also not popular now.  

L L B C (9) Prayer for success

 Prayer for success

🗾   L's Life in a Big City  (9)   🗾

February is the season of entrance-exams for high schools, colleges and universities. For young students who try the exams, it's a gloomy season. They have stabbing pains in their stomachs.

What are these small tumbler dolls? They are related with the entrance-exams. Each doll is put into certain examinee's heart.  

Japanese examinees pray for success in their entrance-exams, except for the people who have great confidence in themselves. For the majority of the examinees, these shrines are the ideal places. They worship and feel calm. And, they have certainty about the success that they will have in the near future.

Climbing up Gifu castle

The other day, we climbed the Gifu castle. This castle is a mountain castle located in Gifu city. Usually, mountain castles locate in plain and secluded places. However, it was not plain and secluded but flashy and in the limelight in the Japanese history. What does that mean? If we give an example, it was very famous as the headquarters of Oda Nobunaga before he captured Kyoto city. At first, we'd like to inspect why this Gifu castle was in the limelight all through the Sengoku period.

In the first place, mountain castles had been made for the purpose of hiding places. Because lords usually lived in the flat land at that time. And, in the case of emergency such as attacked by enemies, they made quick hide into the mountain castles and fought back against them. The Gifu castle was considered one of such kind of castles.

Oda Nobunaga and his previous castle lord, the Saito clan didn't consider such like this. In their brains, the purpose of this mountain castle was changed from the hideout to the symbol of the ruling. Because the castle site was in the center of an extensive plain and the plain positioned in a strategically important area. And, if they made buildings at the top of the mountain, many people could come to look at the symbol of their ruling.  

This mountain castle is located at the top of the Kinkazan mountain. So, as we already mentioned, the main castle tower is watchable from all around the plain surrounding this mountain. The fact that the tall mountain such like the Kinkazan (329m) standing in the center of the flat land (13m) consisting the downtown of Gifu city is rare. 

By the way, in the Gifu area, there were many castles in flat land and mountain castles in the mountains surrounding this area. These castles weren't ideal to be the castle where the ruler lived. Because castles in the flat land weren't easy to find. People should approach closely if you wanted to see them. And mountain castles in the surrounding mountains of the Gifu plain were also same. These castles' existence couldn't show their dignity to the people who lived there.  

The target of this article is not to praise Oda Nobunaga and his previous castle lord because of their excellent sense to select their castle. But to praise this mountain castle itself. Especially its difficulty of access. In other words, it's difficult to approach the top of the castle on our foot. Furthermore, that might be difficult to live there and attack and capture this castle. 

For the previous lords of Oda Nobunaga, the role of their castles was to hideout into from the attack of the enemies. And also to endure the attack. So, they didn't make their castles on the assumption that they lived their daily lives. Oda Nobunaga supposedly came up with the idea to live on the top of the mountain castle. And we can't suppose what the residences at the top were like from the records left behind. 

We think it's too difficult to climb up and climb down to the top of the mountain oftentimes. Because we experienced climbing to the top by foot. Based on our experience, we doubt the historic fact that Oda Nobunaga lived at the top several years.  

After the relocation of Oda Nobunaga, several lords renovated the main castle tower on the top of the mountain. Famous one was the Ikeda Terumasa's built in 1585. Ikeda Terumasa was also famous that he renovated the Himeji castle and made very beautiful main castle tower of the Himeji castle. So, people suppose the Gifu castle's main tower was also beautiful like the Himeji castle's. And from this imagination, the reconstructed main castle tower was made like current appearance. There is no solid evidence of the appearance of the main castle tower of the Gifu castle. 

The beginning of the Edo period (1603-1867), this castle was dismantled. Then, all buildings in the Kinkazan mountain were removed somewhere. According to an uncertain story, the main tower's wooden parts were used as another castle's main tower. And the main tower's drawing was remained. And the reconstructed main castle tower (1956) was made by reinforced concrete and the exterior was decided referencing the drawing. 

The mountain's top is not wide enough. Not so wide land was created and scattered in several places. For example, the main castle tower, storage, residences and so on. Speaking of current buildings, the reconstructed main tower, a small museum, an eating house, the squirrel-village house are scattered there. These buildings are connected by narrow paths of stone pavement. Quite a lot difference in hight, we notice. It's really difficult to visit one building to another.

What we'd like to deliver is about trails of the mountain. The difference in the height from the foot to the top is over 300 meters. This over 300 meters difference avoid smooth access from the foot to the top. Furthermore, the mountain is quite massive and has a very wide range. Visiting the top on foot is quite an effort. 

These trails are maintained as hiking paths now. And the number in this mountain area is 10. Furthermore, the trails having relationships with the Gifu castle are maybe 5. One of the paths is from another side foot, so, 4 paths are mentioned in the paper we handed over at the entrance of the castle.

A: The Nanamagari-do （七曲道）

It connects from the western foot building to the top of the mountain. Once it was the major climbing route of the people who belonged to the castle. At first, the road goes south in a flat area. And from the south entrance, the trail begins to climb. It will take about 60 minutes to the top, according to the information from someone's HP.

There was a stable for horses at the top, and horses lived there might climb this trail. We haven't experienced this trail, so, it's difficult to tell the expression. According to the previous HP, the route is well maintained and it's easy to climb.    

B: The Hyakumagari-do（百曲道）

We chose this route regrettably. It also connects from the western foot building to the top of the mountain. It begins to climb from south-west of the mountain. According to the paper we got at the entrance, it seemed a long way. So, we led to poor judgement. Quite many places are rocky paths. However, It will take about 40 minutes to the top, according to the previous HP. It was difficult for us.

Additionally, the HP tells us this trail was used to a suprise attack in the Sengoku era's real battle. And the trail was too steep to move riding horses. (You could've told us earlier.)   

C: North route

It also connects from the western foot building to the top of the mountain. It begins to climb from north-west of the mountain. According to the HP, it's the second gentle route and it will take about 70 minutes to the top. North of the castle is the wide Nagara river, so, you can look down and view the scenery of it.

D: Shortcut route

It also connects from the western foot building to the top of the mountain. It begins to climb from the behind of the western foot building. The length of the route is the shortest, but it's too steep to climb quickly. It will take about 40 minutes to the top. And you should skip to climb down this route. It was supposed to be considered as a byway at that time.

🙊🙊 To tell the truth, there is a ropeway to the top. Almost all use it. It's not necessary to climb on foot. However, you may not notice the difficulty that we discovered by this struggling.

L L B C (8) Kyoto Station Building

 

🗾   L's Life in a Big City  (8)   🗾

The other day, I walked around inside the Kyoto Station. The Kyoto Station had been reconstructed in 1997. Soon after the reconstruction, I had visited this station but only for transportation to visit several sightseeing places in Kyoto City. I had glanced its huge atrium space but I hadn't walked around it.

However, I had information that this station was adjoining a hotel, a department store, a park area and so on. So, I was thinking that I would like to explore this building someday. But until this visiting experiment, this station was only for transportation facility for me.

Now, I was standing in front of the main entrance. It seemed cramped for me. I supposed it was because there were so many passengers there. But I thought that there would be one more reason. That is the layout of the concourse. Both sides of the main entrance are the long stairs and escalators, so, the concourse looked narrower than it actually was.

By the way, this inspiration was not important for me. Because my interest was focused on something existed at the high end of the stairs. At first, I went up the right escalator. This stairs were quite long, so, I saved my power to walk around.

In the midway to the top, the width of the stairs was changed. Upper side of the stairs was very wide and picture perfect. At the end of the stairs, there was a hanging garden. It was 50 meters above the station concourse. From there, there was an air corridor and I admired scenery of the Kyoto Tower.    

Tea ceremony rooms in history

 Tea ceremony rooms in history 

The Japanese tea ceremony is world-famous, we believe. Then, how much do you understand the tea rooms where tea ceremonies held?  There are many historically famous tea rooms all around Japan. However, we suppose, if we research their current status, they are quite often confusing and behind the screens in a sense. After this introduction, we'll try to describe these of historic tea rooms. 

Uraku-en Jo-an (有楽苑 如庵) : National treasure

如庵

This building was built by Oda Urakusai (織田有楽斎) who was a famous warrior and tea master, at the Shoden-in (正伝院) temple in 1618. The Shoden-in temple was a tatchuu (塔頭) temple of the Kennin-ji (建仁寺) in the Kyoto city.  ( a 'tatchuu' is a subsidiary temple belonging to the main temple) It's now located in the garden-park named the Japanese garden ' Uraku-en' in the Inuyama city, Aichi prefecture.

Now, you have to understand the unit of area, tatami- 1-jo (畳１帖). Tatami- 1-jo means the width around 90 centimeters by 180 centimeters. And, tea masters at the Sengoku era represented by Sen-no Rikyu (千利休) considered it was necessary to narrow down the width of the tea rooms. For example, Sen-no Rikyu thought the width of tatami- 8-jo which was popular at that time was too wide to exchange guests and master. At first, he made a tatami- 4.5-jo width tea room for his proof theory. Furthermore, he made a tatami- 1.5-jo width tea room in the end.

Against the mainstream, the width of this tea room is 'Ni-jo han daime.' Ni-jo han daime means 2-tatami plus 0.5-tatami plus 0.75-tatami, so, the total width is 3.25-tatami. He didn't choose the extreme narrowness for his tea room. This expression he said is very famous, "A tatami- 2.5-jo width or a tatami- 1.5-jo width will be more a pain than a treat." 

Urasen-ke Kan-un-tei (裏千家 寒雲亭) : National important cultural asset, Urasen-ke Kon-nichi-an (裏千家 今日庵) : National important cultural asset, Urasen-ke Dairo-no-ma (裏千家 大炉の間) : National important cultural asset, Urasen-ke Ryu-sei-ken (裏千家 溜精軒) : National important cultural asset, Urasen-ke Yu-in (裏千家 又隠) : National important cultural asset, Urasen-ke Mushiki-ken (裏千家 無色軒) : National important cultural asset

Urasen-ke is a clan or a kinship group which leads the tea ceremony community in Japan. The Urasen-ke residence is located at Kyoto city Kamikyo ward. It was originally made in 1578, and was destroyed by fire in 1788. So, it was reconstructed after the fire, and was experienced building extensions and renovations many times after the reconstruction. Apart from 6 famous tea rooms above, there are so many other tea rooms in it.

Urasen-ke Kan-un-tei (裏千家 寒雲亭)

寒雲亭（鎌倉市）

The plan is 8-tatami plus 1-tatami-width Tokonoma (床の間), alcove for displaying. It was supposed to be used for large-scale ceremonies. To tell the truth, there is another original at Toukei-ji temple in Kamakura city, Kanagawa prefecture. This building is an individual flat and it has an authentic story such as when they moved, why they earned. So they insist their Kan-un-tei is the genuine (so, Kan-un-tei in Kyoto city is an artificial). The inside atmosphere is so different.

The Kan-un-tei in Kamakura city is displayed by Syoin-zukuri (書院造) style and has kind of formal atmosphere. On the contrary, the Kan-un-tei in Kyoto city is displayed by Wabicha (侘び茶) style and has kind of relaxed atmosphere. We just saw them in pictures, but the impression is quite different.

Urasen-ke Kon-nichi-an (裏千家 今日庵)

今日庵

It was made in the same building with the Kan-un-tei, and next of it. The width is 'Ichi-jo daime', so, 1.75-tatami. It's almost the extreme.  

Urasen-ke Dairo-no-ma (裏千家 大炉の間)

大炉の間

This tea room was made at the time of the extension in 1856. It's consisted with 8-tatami room and 6-tatami room, so total is 14-tatami in width. At this time, tea rooms were made for other purpose. At first, it was for service by the master to the guest. But then, especially in the Urasen-ke residence, it was for teaching of many apprentices who wanted to learn the ceremony. By this extension, several separate buildings were connected.

So, for example, Kan-un-tei which was separated from the main residence was connected. And, the Dairo-no-ma was made in the center of the complex. They positioned the Dairo-no-ma as the most important tea room of this residence.

Urasen-ke Ryu-sei-ken (裏千家 溜精軒)

Same as the Dairo-no-ma, it was made at the time of the extension in 1856. It's located between one individual room to the next, and it looks like a hallway. But when you close the sliding doors, this space changes a tea room. The room is 6-tatami in width. 

Urasen-ke Yu-in (裏千家 又隠)

又隠

It was expanded beside the Kon-nichi-an 6 years after the original Kan-un-tei and Kon-nichi-an were built. The room is 4.5-tatami in width. It's just our personal opinion, the master who made the 8-tatami Kan-un-tei and the 1.75-tatami Kon-nichi-an didn't satisfy the result. So finally he made the 4.5-tatami Yu-in when he had the chance to extend his retreat. We worry if the tea ceremony experts read this opinion, they might blame us for our quips.

Urasen-ke Mushiki-ken (裏千家 無色軒)

The construction date was uncertain, but the planner was the 4th master. (In addition, the most famous Kan-un-tei was planned by the 3rd.) The room is 6-tatami plus 1-tatami size wood floor in width.

Omotesen-ke Shofu-ro (表千家 松風楼), Omotesen-ke Tensetsu-do (表千家 点雪堂) : National important cultural asset, Omotesen-ke Fushin-an (表千家 不審庵) 

Omotesen-ke is also a leading tea ceremony community in Japan. The Omotesen-ke residence is also located at Kyoto city Kamikyo ward. However, we couldn't find the information of the residence. Famous tea rooms are mostly young. And also they have only one national important cultural asset. We doubt they hide their history in the veil.

Omotesen-ke Shofu-ro (表千家 松風楼)

Shofu-ro was made in 1921. It has 8-tatami main room, 5-tatami east-room, 4-tatami west-room, and 8-0.75tatami south-room. It's for large scale tea ceremony.

Omotesen-ke Tensetsu-do (表千家 点雪堂) 

Tensetsu-do is a 4-tatami tea room made in 1839. It was the renovation of the previous tea room. There isn't enough information in the Internet, so we can't describe its history.

Omotesen-ke Fushin-an (表千家 不審庵) 

Fushin-an is a 3-tatami tea room made in 1913. It's also the renovated. And also, there isn't enough information in the Internet, so we don't know the back.

Gyokurin-in Kasumidoko-no-ma (玉林院 霞床の間) : National important cultural asset, Gyokurin-in Sa-an (玉林院 蓑庵) : National important cultural

Gyokurin-in Kasumidoko-no-ma (玉林院 霞床の間)

南明庵

It was built on the property of the Gyokurin-in (Kyoto city Kita ward), one of the tatchuu temples of the Daitoku-ji (大徳寺) in 1742. The building is a complex of the Nammei-an (南明庵), a Buddhist chamber and two tea rooms. Kasumidoko-no-ma is one of them and 4.5-tatami in width.

Gyokurin-in Sa-an (玉林院 蓑庵)

Sa-an is another tea room and 3-tatami in width.

Kodai-ji Iho-an (高台寺 遺芳庵), Kodai-ji Shigure-tei + Karakasa tei (高台寺 時雨亭＋傘亭) : National important cultural

Kodai-ji Iho-an (高台寺 遺芳庵)

It was built on the property of the Kodai-ji temple in Kyoto city Higasiyama ward. The building was moved here in 1908. The width is 1.75-tatami tea room and same size Mizuya (washing place). The original was supposed to be made at early times in the Edo period, however, this is more young. 

Kodai-ji Shigure-tei + Karakasa tei (高台寺 時雨亭＋傘亭)

時雨亭

The floor of the Shigure-tei isn't covered with tatami mats, so, we have difficulty to describe the width of it. The width is around 6-tatami. There is worthy of a special mention that is the location of this tea room. It's on the second floor of a thin building, and the master and the guest have to climb the wooden ladder for the ceremony. We doubt they can hold formally arranged ceremony or not.

And the Karakasa-tei is connected with the first floor of the Shigure-tei by an open hallway. The width is 6-tatami. It was built in the early Edo period. And supposed that originally built on the property of the Fushimi castle and removed here later.

Koho-an Bo-sen (弧篷庵 忘筌) : National important cultural

It was built on the property of the Koho-an (Kyoto city Kita ward), one of the tatchuu temples of the Daitoku-ji. The original was destroyed by fire in 1793. The date of the reconstruction was not clear, but we suppose it was around 1800. It's 12-tatami in width.

Konchi-in Hasso-seki (金地院 八窓席) : National important cultural

It was built on the property of the Konchi-in (Kyoto city Higashiyama ward), one of the tatchuu temples of the Nanzen-ji. It was made by renovating the original one around 1628. Then the renovated one became famous and had the name, "Hasso-seki." It's 3.75-tatami in width.

Saio-in Yodomi-no-seki (西翁院 澱看席) : National important cultural

澱看席

It was built on the property of the Saio-in (Kyoto city Sakyo ward), one of the tatchuu temples of the Konkai-komyo-ji. It was made around 1685. It's 3-tatami in width.

Kainyo-an (皆如庵)

皆如庵

It was located on the property of the Saigyo-an in Kyoto city Higasiyama ward. It was made around 1595 and removed here in 1894. It's 4-tatami in width.