塩見縄手 その三(明々庵) - Shiomi Nawate 3 (MEIMEI AN)

Would you like to became a part of the life and art of Fumaiko? He was the 7th Lord of Matsue Castle and a member of the Matsudaira family. He also loved and developed the tea ceremony to a fine art. In doing this, he created many lovely tea utensils and buildings.

今回は、松平不昧公の人生と彼の美の世界を旅してみましょう。松江藩七代目藩主であった不昧公は松平家の血を引いています。茶の湯をこよなく愛し、茶道を芸術へ昇華させた不昧公は、その道程において数多くの美しい茶道具や茶室を造りました。

One of them was MEIMEI AN. This fine old tea house was ordered by Fumaiko in 1779. If you visit and have tea there, you will have the chance to experience the art and beauty of the tea ceremony as Fumaiko practiced it.

その一つが一七七九年に建てられた明々庵です。ここを訪れ、お茶を味わうことで、皆さんも不昧公が体験した茶の湯の美に触れることが出来ると思います。

When you visit MEIMEI AN, it may seem a little too new to be over 200 years old. It would be correct to think so since many parts are new and the garden is not so old either. This lovely tea house was moved from a previous location to its present site in 1966. I had just come back to Japan for the second time. However, the history of the tea house is quite old and it must be seen to be appreciated.

実際に明々庵に行って見るととても新しく、建築以来二百年以上も経過している様には見えませんが、これは多くの部分が修復され、庭園もさほど古くないためです。この美しい茶室は、一九六六年、私が二度目に来日した後に現在の場所に移転しました。私達はこの茶室を流れる長い歴史をきちんと認識しなくてはならないと思います。

MEIMEI AN is located just off the Shiomi Nawate, which I have written about twice before. From Yakumo An, go east for about 100 meters, turn left up a slope. Go straight for about 50 meters until you come to a steep staircase on the left. Go up that staircase. It is a hard, but pretty, climb. After reaching the top of the stairs you are in the garden of MEIMEI AN.

明々庵は、前回、前々回取り上げた塩見縄手からほどない場所にあります。八雲庵から東に約百メートル行き、左折し坂を上り、約五十メートル行ったところで左手にある、小さいですが大変急な階段を一番上まで昇ります。気が付くと、そこはもう明々庵の庭園の中です。

On the left, you will have a great view of Matsue Castle directly in front of you. To the right is the main tea house and garden. Enter it! Enjoy it! Try to feel Fumaiko’s thoughts.

左手には眼前に松江城の雄姿が迫り、右手には茶室と庭園があります。中へ入ってお手前を頂きながら、不昧公に思いを巡らせて見ませんか。