Traditional Japanese Tea House Gathering, Meiji era (1868-1913)

Step into a Meiji-era tea house where light, silence, and tradition converge—an intimate glimpse into the timeless ritual of Japanese hospitality.

Details

• Museum-grade fine art reproduction of an original hand-colored photograph from the Meiji period (1868–1912), Japan

• Captures an intimate gathering in a traditional Japanese tea house (chashitsu)

• Features three women in kimono seated around a tea service in a tatami room

• Ideal for collectors of Japanese culture, tea ceremony traditions, and vintage photography

About the Artwork

This exquisite hand-colored photograph from the late 19th century invites you into the tranquil world of the Japanese chashitsu (tea room). Inside, three women dressed in elegant kimono sit gracefully on tatami mats, sharing a quiet moment over a tray of tea and traditional dishes. Their serene postures, the low lacquered trays, and the soft dialogue of their gathering convey the gentle refinement of Japan’s tea culture—a balance of art, etiquette, and mindfulness.

The architectural setting is a masterclass in wabi-sabi simplicity: sliding shoji doors, exposed wood beams, and calligraphic scrolls give the space a sense of spiritual balance and impermanence. In the foreground, lacquerware and porcelain bowls are laid out with care, each detail rendered more intimate by the soft, painterly hues of hand-coloring—a signature of Meiji-era photographic artistry.

This image is not merely a record of domestic life—it’s a visual meditation on grace, ritual, and shared presence. Perfect for a tea room, reading corner, or minimalist interior, it brings the calm spirit of old Japan into your home.