Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On January 26, I paid a courtesy visit to Reisenkai Japanese Culture Academy in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where I had the honor of meeting Headmaster Reisen Shibusawa. Over the following three days, I was also given the opportunity to observe and experience authentic Japanese cultural lessons, including tea ceremony, calligraphy, and traditional Japanese dance.
About Reisenkai Japanese Culture Academy
Reisenkai Japanese Culture Academy was established as a comprehensive Japanese cultural school where students can study traditional arts in an authentic setting. Named after its headmaster, Reisen Shibusawa, the academy is built upon her many years of dedicated practice, teaching experience, and deep understanding of traditional culture.
The academy offers instruction in a wide range of disciplines, including tea ceremony, calligraphy, kimono dressing, ikebana, flower arrangement, traditional Japanese dance, koto (Japanese harp), and shamisen. Under Ms. Shibusawa’s guidance, the academy emphasizes not only technical mastery but also the cultivation of the heart—embracing the aesthetic sensibilities and spiritual values at the core of Japanese culture, with the aim of enriching daily life.
With attentive, personalized instruction, the academy warmly supports learners at every level. Short lessons, on-site workshops, and kimono dressing services are also available, making the academy a welcoming place for beginners and international visitors alike to experience Japanese culture.
Experiencing the Japan’s Spirit
During this visit, I had the privilege of observing and experiencing lessons in tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana, traditional Japanese dance, koto music, kōdō (the Way of Incense), and kimono dressing.
Although each of these traditional arts represents an independent path, they are all supported by shared values such as compassion for others and a refined sense of beauty—core elements of Japan’s spirit of wa (harmony). Through this rare opportunity to engage with multiple cultural practices in one place, I was able to appreciate not only the depth of each art form but also the underlying spirituality that shapes Japanese life and values. Once again, I was deeply moved by the layered richness of Japanese culture.
〇Tea Ceremony
Students learn Urasenke-style tea ceremony, emphasizing the headmaster’s philosophy of personal growth through spiritual discipline. I participated in an observation of regular lessons as well as a beginner’s experience session. Witnessing the focused expressions of the students and the tension-filled atmosphere, I felt the foundation of omotenashi—hospitality embodied in a single bowl of matcha.
〇Calligraphy
In addition to learning hiragana and kanji with both small and large brushes, students may also study penmanship or ballpoint writing depending on their goals. I joined a calligraphy experience designed for international guests, where the headmaster spontaneously created kanji characters for foreign names, which participants then wrote on traditional paper or shikishi boards—truly a special and memorable experience.
〇Ikebana
Instruction is offered in Koryu-style Japanese flower arrangement and tea flowers. Using seasonal plants such as plum blossoms, I experienced ikebana firsthand. I was deeply impressed by the beauty of spatial aesthetics unique to this art form, as well as by the challenge of expressing oneself freely through flowers.
〇Traditional Japanese Dance
The academy practices Suika-style Japanese dance, offering guidance from fundamentals to classical repertoire, nagauta, kouta, folk songs, and modern dance. During the experience, I learned details often overlooked in daily life, such as foot positioning and hand movements—an invaluable opportunity to study graceful Japanese gestures.
〇Kōdō (The Way of Incense)
Kōdō is the refined art of appreciating delicate fragrances from aromatic woods. Various styles of incense practice are offered depending on one’s purpose. In this session, I learned the basics of “listening” to incense. It was refreshing to reawaken my senses, which are often neglected in everyday life, and I felt the essence of Japanese culture that treasures invisible beauty.
〇Koto Music
Both Yamada and Ikuta schools are taught here. I had the chance to play “Sakura Sakura,” a piece familiar from school music classes. Although finger technique and pressure control were challenging, there were many moments when the traditional sounds brought a deep sense of calm.
〇Kimono Dressing
Students learn traditional hand-tied kimono dressing using a single cord. The academy welcomes everyone from those wishing to dress themselves in daily life to aspiring professional dressers. I wore a lovely pink kimono paired with a green obi. Although I often wear kimono, I discovered many new techniques, making this a truly enriching experience.
Through this visit, I was reminded that Japanese culture is not merely about techniques or forms—it is the inheritance of compassion for others, sensitivity to beauty, and a sincere intention to live life fully each day. Experiencing the academy’s approach to cultural preservation—nurturing the heart as well as skills—renewed my sense of responsibility as one of the cultural ambassadors of Japan.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue to share the depth of Japanese culture alongside sake, conveying its spiritual foundations and the spirit of wa that connects people across borders. Japanese sake is not simply part of food culture; like tea ceremony, calligraphy, and dance, it is a cultural expression deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics and everyday life.
Drawing upon this meaningful experience, I hope to communicate the multifaceted heart of Japanese culture through sake, cherishing every encounter and connection as I move forward.
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
Chisato Tateno
