Several years ago, I began studying Japanese. The first thing I do when learning a new language is to look for a method. I’ve explored many, from the traditional Minna no Nihongo to more modern courses like Marugoto, and even books specialized in the JLPT exam. However, whenever we learn a language, we must also understand the context in which it develops, that is, the culture of the language where it is spoken. And Japan has a vast culture.

In Tokyo, for example, the old and the modern coexist, the traditional and the futuristic. It is one of the cities that fascinates me the most. In fact, there are many cities that are captivating, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. In this project, we will focus on Kyoto. Kyoto is considered the cultural capital of Japan, with everything from temples to gardens. And I would like to dedicate this project to the tea ceremony and to haiku.

The tools used in this project are Node.js, Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, React, and of course VS Code. In addition, we also make use of images generated with Lummi.

After that, I deployed it using Git and Vercel.

The application is designed as a single page, divided into three sections: Home, Ceremony, and Haiku. The typography is modern, yet it also evokes echoes of nostalgia and tranquility. The color palette brings serenity with its shades of red, green, and cream.

Here, you can see the main image, created with Lummi, of the garden of a tea house. You can also see the navigation bar with the title Komorebi Tea House, in a soft red, as well as the links to the different sections on the right.

Here, we can see a brief explanation of Chanoyu (茶の湯 ), or the Japanese tea ceremony.

We also have a short explanation of how to drink tea according to Sen no Rikyū.

Additionally, there is a note on the philosophy and aesthetics of wabi-sabi.

Finally, here we have the Haiku section:

A few more haiku, along with the footer of the page:

This application has been simple and straightforward, but at the same time, it was one of the most rewarding. A perfect way to close out the month of February. The colors have been calm, as have the images, and the haiku truly inspiring.

Check it out!

https://komorebi-tea-house.vercel.app/