Japan is renowned for its contrasting modernization of technologies and cities with the rich heritage and tradition that still lives between skyscrapers and state-of-the-art technology. In a city that is a blend of modern and traditional, My Taiken gives guests a unique and personalized experience that is incomparable to anything else.
In the heart of Tokyo, a traditional privately-owned Noh theatre opens its doors exclusively for your guests for an experience of a lifetime. With a 600-year history, noh is a symbolic form of theatre adapted from Japanese traditional literature, where it was originally performed for the shogun (the military ruling class) and nobility. Guests of My Taiken are transported back to the 14th century, where they can feel the power of what it must have been like to be a lord in feudal Japan.
Left: Sarah Lucy Brown; Right: My Taiken
The Noh performance transcends language barriers as guests are drawn into the powerful presence of the main actors (shité), the secondary actors (waki), musicians and chorus. Donning traditionally carved masks (omote), elaborate brocade costumes, and instruments, their synchronized movements and the poignance of the music is an experience that will move an audience to their core.
During their experience with My Taiken, guests visit backstage and go on stage with the masters. Our masters are among the few professionals in Japan who keep the Noh’s religion alive and unchanged, travelling all over the world to share their wonderful art.
Who are My Taiken?
Taken from the Japanese word for experience, My Taiken believe that in order to deeply understand a culture, you must first experience it. Founded by Sebastien Moncus in 2017, My Taiken aims to push the language and cultural barriers that prevent most foreign visitors from fully understanding Japanese culture and traditions.
The My Taiken experience doesn’t just skim the surface of Japan’s rich history, it dives into the heart of Japanese tradition.
Originally from Brittany, Lorient, France, Sebastien has spent 8 years living in Japan, and with the support of his brother-in-law, the 20th Grand Master of the Hosho Noh family, Sebastien founded the My Taiken project to welcome foreigners from all around the world to Japan to experience the Japanese culture the way he does.
My Taiken’s services introduce guests to the pure essence of Japanese traditional culture, which is still very much a part of its culture today. Many of the traditional arts have been an integral part of Japan longer than many countries have been established, and like Noh, My Taiken allows guests to experience other centuries-old traditions including:
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Dating back more than 1,000 years, guests have the chance to experience the revered encounter between host and guests with the finest masters in the art of tea. The experience of a Japanese tea ceremony isn’t just the tea that is served, but the atmosphere it is served in. Everything has purpose and meaning, it is a comprehensive art that combines carefully crafted spaces with the art of tea.
The atmosphere of the tea room or garden is taken into consideration when selecting the tea bowls, utensils, other crafts, food such as traditional confections or more formal cuisine (the kaiseki meal), and a sensitivity to the seasons.
Guests will not only get to experience what it is like to receive tea and learn the traditional etiquette during the ceremony, they will also get the opportunity to become the host and learn the sacred perfection of the art. This experience is one many tea lovers and food admirers would love. It has a preciseness to it that goes beyond a simple ceremony.
Ikebana
Ikebana flower arranging has a history that dates back more than 700 years. It is an art that symbolizes nature to perfection. This experience is grounded in a strict discipline and philosophy. The main goal of Ikebana is to bring humanity closer to nature through its own form of spirituality and meditative contemplation.
Japanese people have long been intimately tied to nature. Their deep respect for nature translated into ikebana and our guests will be able to share this respect and understanding of nature during this experience.
Calligraphy
Calligraphy was introduced to Japan between the 6th and 7th century from China. Over the centuries, it has evolved into something uniquely Japanese, which is now known as Shodo. Shodo is intended to focus the spirit and express one’s inner heart through the variations in writing style. Each piece is unique and represents the calligrapher; even if the same letter forms are written, differences are born between each person. With the guidance of highly skilled masters, guests have the opportunity to create their own unique form of calligraphy and create their own beautiful masterpiece.
My Takien is a member of Connections Luxury. All information can be found on our Leaders Network.
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