Jo-an facts for kids

Jo-an tea house, built in the 1600s, is a National Treasure of Japan.

Jo-an (如庵) is a very old and famous Japanese teahouse (chashitsu). It was built in the 1600s. Today, you can find it in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Many people believe Jo-an is one of the three finest teahouses in all of Japan. It has been in its current spot in Inuyama since 1972.

Jo-an was officially named a National Treasure in 1951. This means it is a very important historical and cultural building for Japan.

History of Jo-an

Jo-an was first built around the year 1618. Its original home was in Kennin-ji, a famous temple in Kyoto. It was built for a man named Oda Urakusai.

Who was Oda Urakusai?

Oda Urakusai was the younger brother of Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was a very powerful leader, known as a daimyō, in Japan's history. Oda Urakusai was also a student of Sen no Rikyū, a very famous master of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Where has Jo-an been?

The Jo-an teahouse has been moved many times over the centuries. Since 1972, it has been a part of the beautiful Urakuen gardens in Inuyama. This area is in Aichi Prefecture. It was once part of a historic region called Owari Province. The Oda clan, Oda Urakusai's family, ruled this province starting in the 1400s.

Exploring Jo-an's Architecture

The layout of Jo-an teahouse.

To reach Jo-an, you walk through a special garden. This garden is called a roji, which means 'dewy ground'. It helps prepare your mind for the peaceful tea ceremony.

Rooms inside Jo-an

The teahouse has several parts:

• A chashitsu (tea room): This is the main room where the tea ceremony takes place. It is about two and a half tatami mats in size.
• A mizuya (preparation room): This room is used to get ready for the tea ceremony. It is about three tatami mats big.
• A rōka no ma (corridor room): This is a small hallway room, about one and a half tatami mats.

The chashitsu also includes a daime. This is a special three-quarter tatami mat. There is also a toko, which is a small alcove for displaying art or flowers.

A latticed bamboo window in Jo-an.

Special features

The building has a roof made of shakes. These are thin pieces of wood, like shingles. Jo-an also has a nijiriguchi. This is a very small, low entrance that you have to 'crawl in' through. It makes everyone, no matter their status, enter humbly.