* Knowledge Base covers those Japanese terms linked to Anjue’s products or their backgrounds.

A period approximately from 1568 through 1603 when Japan was ruled by Oda Nobunaga and his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, after more than a century of continuous war era throughout the country. It is also a period when tea ceremony was developed along with premium teaware and the aesthetic of Wabi.

A room where tea ceremony is performed for guests. Chashitsu can be either a room in a house or a small separated cottage in garden of a larger house. It typically has tatami mat flooring, “Ro,” charcoal pit, and tokonoma to display a Japanese scroll and arranged flower.   

A period started in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu who completed unification of Japan partially done by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The period ruled by the Tokugawa Bakufu lasted more than 2 centuries and ended in 1867.   

Symbol of enlightenment in Zen Buddhism.

A set of flat mattress “Shikibuton” and comforter “Kakebuton” stuffed with cotton traditionally used in Japan.

Traditional Japanese wooden sandals. They are often worn with casual Japanese clothing such as Yukata.

Short Japanese poetry composed of three nodes with 5-7-5 sound pattern. It was derived from Waka, another traditional poetry with 5-7-5-7-7 sound pattern, and became widely known through Matsuo Basho’s work in 17th century. Haiku usually has a word indicating one of the four seasons.

A set of meal originally served at tea ceremony for guests. These days, it is also a popular course meal at Japanese style restaurants.  

Japanese scroll with painting or calligraphy typically displayed in tokonoma. It was originally brought from China. After Sen no Rikyu, a tea master in Azuchi Momoyama Period, started using kakejiku for tea ceremony, it became an essential item to welcome guests in tea room.     

A period from 1192 through 1333 ruled by a private government, Kamakura Bakufu, started by a war load, Minamoto Yoritomo. It was also a period when Buddhism including zen schools prevailed in Japan.

A type of Japanese garden created with sand, rocks and occasionally plants. Unlike typical Japanese garden, Karesansui does not have pounds, but arranges sand and rocks to represent scenery of mountain and water.

A lower table with an electric heater underneath and covered by quilt. It is a standard item in Japanese style houses during winter.

A period from 1336 through 1573 ruled by the Muromachi Bakufu, a government run by the Ashikaga family. The period also developed its own culture in architecture, literature and art.

A piece of daemon shaped clay sculpture mounted on the top or edges of clay tiled roof of traditional Japanese architectures. It first appeared back in the Nara Period (710 - 794) and since then has been used as to expel evil and bring luck throughout Japan.

Tea ceremony established in 16th century by Sen no Rikyu. It is not just act of drinking tea, but considered comprehensive art involving philosophy and equipment with influence by Zen Buddhism.

The work clothing worn by Japanese Buddhist monks during their labor duty other than Buddhist service. They consist of a top and a bottom made from cotton or linen and are dyed dark colors such as indigo and gray.

A master of tea ceremony who developed “Wabi” in Azuchi Momoyama period.

A 3’ x 6’ Japanese flooring mat made with Igusa, Japanese natural straw grass. It is a standard item for traditional Japanese houses.

A small raised alcove in a tatami room in traditional Japanese houses. Tokonoma is usually used to display arranged flower along with a Japanese scroll on the wall. Size of tokonoma may be 3’ x 6’ or smaller with either wood or tatami mat flooring.

Stone lantern used in traditional Japanese garden.

Stone water basin often seen at gardens of Buddhist temples and traditional Japanese houses.

View of beauty developed by Japanese tea masters and poetries in the Muromachi through Edo Periods.

A casual kimono made of cotton and typically worn during summer in Japan. Also, Ryokan, traditional Japanese Inn, uses Yukata for their guests.

A square-shaped padded mat placed on floor to sit on in Japanese-style houses.

A school of Buddhism originally developed in India and introduced to Japan in 13th century from China. In Japan, its core practice is widely known as zazen, sitting meditation.

A popular stone basin in Japanese tea gardens. The top of the basin has a square shaped hole surrounded by 4 carved Kanji letters that can read 唯吾足知 meaning “I only know I am content” or “Be content with what you are.”