Licensing

Shoseian Teahouse

The original teahouse, a gift from the people of Tokyo, was hand-constructed in Japan by the Shimizu Company and reassembled on site. Unfortunately, fire destroyed it in 1973. It was rebuilt in 1981 with the help of the Arboretum Foundation and the Urasenke Foundation of Kyoto, Japan.

In a March 1981 ceremony, Dr. Soshitsu Sen, 15th generation Grand Master of Urasenke, bestowed upon it the name "Shoseian" (Arbor of the Murmuring Pines). It features post and lintel construction composed mainly of cryptomeria and Western red cedar framing plastered walls.

The copper-singled roof shelters a six-tatami mat tearoom, a one-mat preparation room, and a two-mat anteroom and a stone-floored entry. It's used for tea ceremonies and other special occasions.

Unfortunately, the teahouse is closed to general visitors, so we weren't able to see for ourselves what it looked like inside. The exterior was very nice though.