Teahouse Kurosuke

Kurosuke is located in Kyoto’s oldest geiko district, Kamishichiken, and means “seven teahouses to the north.” The seven teahouses were built for warlord Hideoyoshi Toyotomi as part of his plan for an`extravagant tea party at the Kitano Tenmagu Shrine in 1589. The shrine was destroyed by fire in 1444, but many pieces of timber were saved, enough so to,  according to legend to build the seven teahouses or chaya.

Look for a hanging noren curtain announcing that it is open and a Meiji-style lantern mounted on the lower eaves.

Yoshidaya, a teahouse of Kamishichiken that opened in the late 1860’s has been operated under four successive generations of owners.

Inside you will enjoy a beautiful kaidan-dansu or stepped chest, the mizuya cupboard for storing dishes, the fence-like enclosure around the downstairs register where abacus- handy accountants once settled bills.

You will also see red and while fans inscribed with the names of the maiko, apprentice geiko, who patronize the chaya.

I thoroughly enjoyed the lunch bento which offers several version of bean curd, made daily at the famous Toyoke tofu shop. Vegetable and fish dishes are also offered.