Cherishing the Spirit of "Ichigo Ichie" in Tea Ceremony... Have You Heard of the 'Tea Wedding' That Fosters Bonds Between Both Families? 🫖💕

Have you heard of a "Chakonsiki"?＊

Sudden question, have you ever heard of “Chakonsiki”? For someone completely unfamiliar with it, the reaction might be something like, “Huh? A wedding with tea? I can tell it has a Japanese vibe!”♡

A “Chakonsiki” is precisely a wedding that is held in accordance with the spirit of the tea ceremony. The spirit of the tea ceremony refers to concepts like "ichi-go ichi-e" (one time, one meeting) and "wakei-seijaku" (mutual respect between hosts and guests creating a good atmosphere). As you can imagine, it is certainly styled like a traditional Japanese wedding, complete with a white kimono, colorful uchikake, and other formal attire. One of the characteristics of a “Chakonsiki” is that it typically only includes family members.

It has both the elegance of a shrine wedding and the casualness of a civil ceremony.

A “Chakonsiki” incorporates rituals such as vow recitation and ring exchange similar to shrine weddings, while also offering a freedom that is reminiscent of civil ceremonies as it is not bound by religion. In essence, it has aspects of both a shrine wedding and a civil ceremony.

However, it tends to have a much stronger "Japanese" atmosphere, so couples who yearn for a calm and elegant traditional wedding often choose this style of ceremony...♡

Let’s introduce the flow of a “Chakonsiki”＊

Now, let’s look into the flow of a “Chakonsiki”. It is based on the history of the tea ceremony unique to Japan, so fundamentally, it follows the customs of a tea gathering.

① Guests take their seats.

② The bride and groom take their seats.

③ Preparation of thick tea.

④ Ceremony of couple binding. ➡ Explanation

⑤ Vow recitation.

⑥ Ceremony of family binding. ➡ Explanation

⑦ Ring exchange

⑧ The bride and groom and parents from both families bow.

⑨ Exit

➡ Let’s explain. What are the couple binding and family binding ceremonies in a “Chakonsiki”?

One of the rituals that raises questions in a “Chakonsiki” is the "couple binding ceremony," right? This is a performance where the tea prepared by the tea master is shared and drunk by the bride and groom*; afterward, during the vow recitation...

They conduct a ceremony called the “family binding ceremony.” This ceremony involves all attendees enjoying tea and sweets together,* sharing a warm and calm space between families, which helps dissolve the boundaries between homes and foster bonds as one family... It’s wonderful!*

You can hold a "Chakonsiki" at famous places like Kenrokuen in Kanazawa.

While there are limited venues for a "Chakonsiki," notable places include the long-established restaurant "Miyoshian" at Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. It would be lovely for both families to travel together and hold a "Chakonsiki" as a family wedding there...＊

In addition, it may also be held in historical buildings such as the tea house “Seifukan” at Shukkeien in Hiroshima Prefecture or Hikone Castle. In Tokyo, it seems a "Chakonsiki" can also be held at the Cerulean Tower in Shibuya. If you're interested, definitely check it out...♡

The average cost for a "Chakonsiki" is about 150,000 yen＊

One of the features of a "Chakonsiki" is that it can be held for a relatively low cost of around 150,000 yen, unlike ceremonies held in regular chapels or hotels. This seems to suit couples who don’t want a flashy wedding or those who prefer a ceremony with only family members◎

Cherishing the spirit of the tea ceremony...♡ Have a heartwarming wedding with a "Chakonsiki."

What do you think? Perhaps some brides heard the term “Chakonsiki” for the first time. A “Chakonsiki” with only family, enjoying warm and delicious tea and wagashi...♡ It is also popular as one form of a traditional Japanese wedding, so why not recommend it to those around you?＊