Risho no Mori
Risho no Mori is a museum dedicated to two of the most famous people from Sakai: Sen no Rikyū, a tea ceremony master, and Yosano Akiko, a prolific poet and pioneering feminist. Exhibits in the museum are supplemented by interactive video displays; a tablet guide is available in multiple languages.
Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591)
Sen no Rikyū is the most influential tea master in the history of Japan. He sought to simplify the style that dominated the practice of the tea ceremony (chanoyu) during his lifetime. Contemporary styles focused on the display of sumptuous utensils made in China (karamono), in favor of Rikyū’s preferred simple tea utensils. On the first floor of the museum is a side-by-side comparison of one of Rikyū’s tea rooms and a tearoom using karamono utensils. After going through the exhibits, visitors are invited to participate firsthand. A host will serve freshly prepared matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets while guiding guests through each step.
Yosano Akiko (1878–1942)
Yosano Akiko was as controversial as she was prolific, writing more than 30,000 poems in her lifetime in addition to many commentaries on feminism and other social issues. The exhibit on the second floor begins with her poetry; a different poem written in her own hand is on display every month. Early copies of her books are on display—many of which had covers designed by famous Japanese artists from the early 1900s. Before she became a writer, Akiko helped run her family business––a successful Japanese sweets shop in Sakai, and a detailed replica of their storefront takes up part of the museum.