Judo chiropractor, Photographer, Hair Stylist – A Couple’s Passion for Capturing Beauty and Sharing Culture

    Health and Beauty with Kengo and Ryo: Massage, Photos, and Hair Styling

    Introducing Kengo, a skilled judo chiropractor. My wife Naoko and I have been receiving regular massages from Kengo to maintain our health. I especially suffer from severe back pain, and Kengo’s massages have provided me with much-needed relief. But Kengo has another hidden talent: he’s a professional photographer! His parents run a kimono rental shop, and Kengo takes beautiful photos of people in kimonos for all kinds of special events, like birthdays for kids (Shichi-Go-San), coming-of-age ceremonies, couples’ photos, weddings, and even vacations!

    Ryo, the charming and talented wife of Kengo, brings a unique blend of skills and warmth to their endeavors. Her expertise as a hairdresser is evident in her ability to transform clients’ looks, leaving them feeling confident and radiant. Her fluency in both Chinese and English makes her a bridge between cultures, seamlessly connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.

    Kengo and Ryo’s Tea Ceremony Adventure

    Kengo and Ryo stepped into Komurasaki An, at 4 pm. Usually, they spoke Japanese, but for this special workshop, they had requested an English-language workshop. With a warm smile, I, along with Naoko, welcomed them and began the workshop in English.

    As we ground tea leaves into fine powder using a traditional millstone, Kengo’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I want my son to try this too!” he declared, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

    Ryo, always eager to learn, listened intently as Naoko explained the four key principles of the tea ceremony: ‘Wa-Kei-Sei-Jaku’ – harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. My story about the tea ceremony’s rich history further captivated her, deepening her appreciation for this ancient art form.

    Kengo’s Brilliant Idea: Kimono and Tea Ceremony Fun for Tourists

    After our workshop, we sipped coffee and chatted. Kengo had a great idea! He wanted to help tourists experience Japanese culture by offering:

    • Kimono Rental: Tourists could rent beautiful kimonos from Kengo’s family’s kimono rental shop.
    • Hairstyle and Makeup: Ryo would style their hair and makeup to match their kimonos.
    • Tea Ceremony: Naoko and I would show them the tea ceremony, a peaceful and mindful tradition.
    • Video Keepsake: Kengo would film the whole experience for a special memory.

    Since Komurasaki An is close to his family’s kimono rental shop, this plan could easily work. We were all excited about it! “Let’s talk more about this at my next massage appointment at Kengo’s clinic,” Naoko suggested, her eyes twinkling. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting idea!