Sa-an Teahouse
Joshinsai Style
1742
Gyokurin-in, Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto
Kōnoike Ryōei, an Osaka tea enthusiast and disciple of Jōshinsai (the 7th-generation head of the Omotesenke tea school), built the Sa-an Teahouse in 1742. It stands west of Nanmei-an, an ancestral tablet hall he constructed at Gyokurin-in, a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji Temple, and was used to host memorial services held in the form of chanoyu tea gatherings.
Approaching through the rojimon gate to the northwest of the main hall and following the stepping stones, visitors are led to the west-facing exterior of Sa-an. Its gabled roof and deep eaves create the low, crouched appearance of a simple thatched hut.
The interior features a three-tatami layout, with a middle board separating the two-tatami mats of the guest area and the single tatami mat for the tea preparation area which includes a recessed alcove (tokonoma). The hearth is set in a recess in the middle board, and a central pillar is erected to form a platform for tea preparation. While the one-tatami space for the host would typically only require a chadō-guchi entrance, a secondary kyūji-guchi serving entrance is located next to the alcove to facilitate the host's work.
The ceiling is structured in three layers: a flat ceiling above the alcove, a makomo or reed-lined dropped ceiling over the tea preparation area, and a hanging ceiling over the nijiri-guchi (small entrance). The most eye-catching feature is the central pillar, a slender pine log with its bark left intact, gracefully curving as it stands. Its playful presence is subtly integrated into the structure of the tearoom.
The dim interior lighting aligns with the Senke tea tradition of subdued brightness with only three windows: two renji-mado (lattice windows) and a shitaji-mado (unfinished lattice window).
Constructed with cedar and red pine, Sa-an reflects the masterful craftsmanship of sukiya carpentry.
- Tsukiage-mado (Skylight)
A tsukiage-mado is a type of skylight installed in the ceiling.
- Renji-mado (Lattice window)
A renji-mado is a framed window featuring wooden or bamboo slats arranged in a lattice vertically, horizontally, or in combination, on the exterior.
- Shitaji-mado (Window revealing the inner structure of the wall)
A shitaji-mado is a window-like opening made by exposing the lattice framework of the wall.
- Nijiriguchi (Guest entrance)
The nijiri-guchi is a small entrance for guests. Its wooden door is about 70 cm high, requiring guests to lower their heads and crouch as they enter. This gesture symbolizes humility and equality regardless of social status.
- Kutsunugi-ishi (Stone step for taking off shoes)
This flat-topped stone is where footwear is removed before entering the teahouse.
- Ne-ishi (Foundation stone)
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The interior consists of a three-tatami layout, with a middle board separating the two tatami mats of the guest seating area from the one tatami mat used by the host to prepare tea.
- Kyūji-guchi (Additional service entrance)
This is an additional service entrance. It is occasionally added to the teahouse design if serving through the main tea entrance (chadō-guchi) is impractical due to the layout of the room.
- Sadō-guchi (Host entrance)
The chadō-guchi is the entrance used by the host when entering the teahouse to prepare tea.
- Tokonoma (Alcove)
A tokonoma is a recessed alcove in a Japanese room or teahouse, used for displaying art, such as hanging scrolls or flower arrangements. It serves as a focal point for the tea experience.
- Naka-bashira (Center pillar)
The naka-bashira is a central pillar positioned to separate the host's seating area (temae-za) from the guest's seating area (kyaku-za).
- Ro (Brazier)
The ro is a sunken hearth used for boiling water for tea.
- Temae-za (Host seat)
- Kyakuza (Guest seat)
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The floorboards in this section are designed to be removable so that the hearth platform can be replaced.
Structural Model of the Sa-an Teahouse
2014
1:1 Scale
Teahouses are constructed using minimally processed natural materials, such as logs and bamboo, reflecting the beauty of the natural world. Special techniques are required to seamlessly combine different materials, such as wood with bamboo or wood with stone. These techniques can be observed throughout the different parts of this structural model.
Portions of the walls, ceilings, and fittings have been partially removed to reveal the craftsmanship of the carpenters and plasterers. Visible areas are constructed using lightweight wooden components, with hidden sections reinforcing the structure. These include the toshi-nuki, a long lateral support beam connecting multiple pillars, and the chikara-nuki, which supports the ceiling and roof above.
This model is based on Sa-an, a famous teahouse built in 1742 at Gyokurin-in, a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji. The floor plan features three tatami mats with an intermediate board, curved pillars, and intricately designed windows and ceilings, embodying the sophistication of sukiya architectural design.