Recorded Joy·Rakuchū / Shimabara

Wachigaiya

Founded in the Genroku era, around 1688, Wachigaiya is said to be the only house in Shimabara still operating as an ochaya, keeping and training tayu. The present building was rebuilt in 1857 and is a Kyoto City tangible cultural property. Upstairs, the "Room of Umbrellas" has parasols from tayu processions pasted onto its sliding doors, and the "Room of Autumn Leaves" carries real maple leaves pressed into its plaster walls. A folding screen, said to have been brushed by Kondo Isami of the Shinsengumi, still stands on the ground floor.

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These notes come from desk research. Local traditions vary.