Items Guests Take to a Tea Gathering

 

 

 

Kaishi-ire / Sukiya-bukuro 

A cloth carry wallet for kaishi paper, fukusa (purifying cloth), fan and other items. Kaishiire differ for men and women. Also called 'fukusa-basami' or 'sukiya-bukuro'.

 

 


 

 

 

 

Sensu (fan)

Take a small-sized sensu especially for use in a tea room. Sensu differ for men and women

 

 


 

  

 

Fukusa (silk purifying cloth)

Generally, a dashibukusa suffices, however, it is better to carry a fukusa for use in the temae. Men’s are purple, women’s are red.

 


 

  

 

Ōbukusa (large fukusa)

For koicha (thick tea), rather than drinking it by using the host’s fukusa, it is preferable to use your own ōbukusa. Choose or make an ōbukusa from a fabric you like. You may also simply use a fukusa as mentioned above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ueda Sōko School has two preferences of ōbukusa; the Ueda Kiri Kinran and the Sōko Fūtsū designs

 


 

 

 

Kaichū-shi - paper 'envelope' for the inside  pocket of kimono. Used to store all the other items except the fan and incense pouch. For men, the kaichū-shi is made from nine sheets of hanshi paper folded into quarters. For women, the kaichū-shi is made from seven sheets of hanshi paper, folded into half, then into thirds.

 


 

 

 

Kaishi

Handmade Japanese Hanshi paper that is sold commercially is folded and used. Kaishi is used for many things such as putting sweets on and wiping the bowls and dishes used in kaiseki. Accordingly, an ample amount is carried.


 

 

 

Kae-tabi

 One changes their tabi to a clean pair before the start of the chaji. 


 

 

 

Kuromoji

Kuromoji are normally presented together with the sweet. However, it is prudent to carry one’s own. In the Ueda Sōko School, 4 sun kuromoji are used.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Shinobukuro

A shinobukuro is a pouch for storing incense. Jinkō (aloeswood) incense is kept inside this pouch

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Amulet

Carry with you something of personal significance.