In 1788, when the Imperial Palace burned with a large part of Kyoto, the Shoren-in temple became the temporary Imperial palace, and a small tea house named Kobun-tei became a study house for the retired Emperor Gosakuramachi.

Kobun-tei was destroyed in 1993 by a fire, but it was rebuilt only two years later, after the original plans and drawings, and by using materials and traditional methods used during the Edo Period. Kobun-tei is opened to visitors during certain periods of the year, for the tea ceremony.

Kobun-tei, Shoren-in, Higashiyama, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Kyoto Shoren-in Monzeki temple