The diaries
of Kamiya Soutan _’J@’X (1551-1635), a wealthy merchant and tea ceremony master
in Fukuoka prefecture. Written between 1586 and 1613, the diaries give
details of tea ceremonies conducted in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Sakai, Hakata
and other locations. The environment of each ceremony, movements of the
tea masters, and tea implements are all described in great detail. Famous
tea ceremonies described in the diaries include the great tea ceremony at Osakajou ‘åâé hosted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi –LbG‹g (1536-98) on January 3,
1587, where Soutan was the guest of honor. The diaries are valued not only
for their descriptions of the tea ceremony but also as an important source
of information on the political, economical and cultural history of the
time. |