The yoritsuki is the anteroom where guests of a full gathering assemble before entering, used for changing from outdoor clothing into what they will wear and carry inside.
Composition
It has tatami, an alcove, and seating, and a tobacco tray and welcoming items such as hot water or a pickled plum are set out.
In practice
Guests put their silk cloth, paper, and fan in order here and settle themselves before entering. It is where the transition into the gathering begins, and arriving in time to use it properly is part of what being early means.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
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Related terms
- Chado (The Way of Tea)chado
The Japanese practice of preparing and serving powdered green tea, treated as a lifelong discipline rather than a beverage ritual.
- Wabiwabi
Finding sufficiency of mind within insufficiency and plainness; one of the root concepts of tea practice.
- Ichigo ichie (one time, one meeting)ichigo ichie
The principle that every gathering is unrepeatable, and should therefore be treated as if it will never occur again.
- Mizuya (preparation room)mizuya
The back room where utensils are prepared and cleaned; the space said to reveal a practitioner's real ability.
- Nakadachi (mid-gathering withdrawal)nakadachi
The interval when guests leave the room and return to the garden, dividing a full gathering in two.
- Machiai (waiting bench)machiai
A covered bench in the garden where guests wait for the host's signal to enter.