[Shima] Feel Japan’s hospitality at the existing teahouse since the Edo period

Shima is a teahouse in Kanazawa which was a Nationally designated important cultural property. The building was used as an active teahouse from the Edo period through to the Meiji period.

Shima is now a facility that showcases the teahouse culture of Kanazawa city. Although it was built about 200 years ago, everything remains as it was back then except for the electric lights and toilets. During the Edo period, it was forbidden to build tall buildings without permission from the Shogunate, but Shima was one of the few buildings permitted to be two stories high.

Shima used to be an entertainment facility for wealthy merchants, and was a prestigious teahouse that only trusted customers were allowed to enter.

The reason is that it was important for customers to understand the value of the art and preparation.

Front of Shima

The building of Shima consists of two stories. In the Edo period, it is not allowed to build a two-story building without the permission from Tokugawa shogunate. Therefore, Shima is one of the few places with the permission and the merchant class was also allowed to have entertainment and socialization there.

Second floor of Shima

The 2nd floor consists of a proud stage of gaisha and customer’s private room. The ceiling of the 2nd floor is higher than the one on the 1st floor so that the teahouse wanted to show its respect to its customers and wish them to stay confortably.

Hiroma（ひろま）

Hiroma is a prestigious room with the highest ceiling in the building, red-colored walls, and beautiful shelves. This is the place where guests can enjoy watching geisha performance.

There are no closets or partition walls, and it is designed for recreational purposes. When guests sit with their backs to the alcove, gusets can see an antechamber in front. When the sliding doors are opened a charming dance will be performed. Geisha performs the traditional dance to the melody of old Japanese songs. Below are the list of the instrument used in the performance.

Sansen

A three-stringed instrument similar to a guitar or banjo. Dances were performed mainly to the sound of this instrument.

Koto

It is a harp-like instrument with 13 strings. This is the sound you can often hear outside of restaurants while you walk the street of Higashi-chaya District.

Tsuzumi

It is a traditional Japanese shoulder drum.

Hanare （はなれ）

This room is the only one with a simple structure without lacquer on the pillars. It is used for customers to spend some quiet time with their favorite geisha, and it is also used for performers who do not appear in the dance to perform.

First floor of Shima

The 1st floor was exclusively used the female master and geisha, designed mainly for business use.

Choba（帳場）

A room that functions as an office where geisha service records and billings are calculated. Since they are all reliable regular customers, payment will be made at a later date.

Kitchen（台所）

Because Shima orders food from a caterer, it does not have a kitchen like you would find in a Japanese restaurant, but instead has a simple kitchen with a cupboard and well for dishes and chopsticks.

Okunoma（奥の間）

Okunoma is a landlady’s room. The structure is such that you can see the typical garden of a tea house. Unlike the hall where geisha dance, it has a calm atmosphere for the landlady who has to manage everything.

Misenoma（みせの間）

A room where geishas prepare for their dances and put on their makeup. Currently, crafts such as lacquerware, pottery, and metalwork are on display.