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Tai-An: A Traditional Japanese Tearoom at The Camp Muay Thai

  • Writer: Danny The Camp
    Danny The Camp
  • 5 days ago
  • 5 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago


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"泰庵 Tai-An" : A Tearoom of Stillness and Imperfect Beauty at The Camp

In a space barely two tatami mats wide, an entire universe can unfold.Rough earthen walls, soot-darkened bamboo, a single flower in a vase — each element invites time to slow, then almost disappear.

Nothing is added, nothing is excessive.This is the spirit of wabi, the Japanese appreciation for imperfect beauty, and the essence of Tai-An, our newly completed tearoom tucked inside the quiet forests of Chiang Mai.

A Tearoom Rooted in Thailand, Inspired by a Japanese Masterpiece

The name Tai-An carries two meanings.It refers to a humble hermitage built here in Thailand, and it also echoes Tai-An (待庵) — a 16th-century tearoom created by Sen no Rikyū, the historical figure who shaped and refined the Japanese tea ceremony into the art form recognized worldwide today.Rikyū’s Tai-An is the only tearoom from his lifetime that still survives and is considered a cultural treasure in Japan.

Of course, recreating such a national treasure was never my aim — nor would I imagine such a thing possible outside Japan.My intention was far more humble:to honor the spirit Rikyū pursued,and to let that spirit quietly guide a tearoom crafted entirely from the natural materials of Chiang Mai.


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What a Tearoom Truly Is :

A Sanctuary in Times of Turbulence

To understand Tai-An, it helps to know what a tearoom meant in Japanese history.

A Refuge for the Samurai

In the 16th century, Japan was engulfed in warfare.Samurai lived with constant uncertainty, never knowing whether tomorrow would come.Within that harsh reality, the tearoom served as a rare sanctuary.

Inside this simple hut of clay, bamboo, and wood, warriors removed their swords, bowed low, and entered as equals.For a brief moment, they could breathe, reflect on the fragility of life, and reconnect with a sense of inner calm.The tearoom was a deliberate contrast to the battlefield—a world where peace was impossible.

A Chamber for Strategy and Private Dialogue

At the same time, the tearoom was also a discreet space for confidential discussions.Its size allowed only a few people to enter, creating an atmosphere of honesty and focus.Political alliances, strategic decisions, and delicate negotiations were often made over a single bowl of tea.

Thus, the tearoom became two things at once:

  • a place of peace, where warriors found stillness, and

  • a seat of decision, where the future of clans could be shaped.

This duality is central to understanding Tai-An today.

Why Build a Tearoom in a Muay Thai Gym?

To many visitors, placing a traditional Japanese tearoom inside a Muay Thai gym may seem unexpected — even strange.But to me, the connection is natural, and deeply rooted in martial arts philosophy.

Strength Requires Balance

Across cultures, warriors have always recognized that strength comes from balancing opposites: yin and yang, motion and stillness, discipline and softness, combat and calm.

In Japan, samurai practiced tea not as a hobby, but as a mental discipline — a way to refine focus, humility, and emotional control.They trained with the sword, yet they also cultivated stillness through tea, poetry, and meditation.

Muay Thai shares this same spirit.It challenges not only physical endurance but also patience, awareness, and respect.After intense training, a space like Tai-An allows the mind to settle and the breath to return to balance.

The Tearoom as a Complement to Muay Thai

Tai-An is therefore not a decorative addition,but a deliberate reminder that martial arts begin and end in the mind.A single bowl of matcha can cool the spirit, steady the breath, and restore clarity — allowing the lessons of the ring to sink deeper.

Here at The Camp, Tai-An serves as:

  • a meditation space,

  • a grounding experience for fighters,

  • a cultural bridge between Thailand and Japan, and

  • a sanctuary where movement and stillness coexist.

Honoring Imperfect Beauty Through Chiang Mai Materials

Everything in Tai-An was sourced locally: bamboo, teak, earth, hemp, straw.Their knots, irregular lines, and shifting tones were not flaws to correct,but qualities to embrace.

By accepting materials as they are,I hoped to express what Rikyū called “the perfection within imperfection.”

Tai-An reflects not only my own aesthetic path,but also a question that has guided me for years:How can the heart of Japanese tea culture breathe in this land I now call home?

Meaning Within Two Tatami Mats

The entrance to Tai-An is a small, low doorway called a nijiriguchi.To pass through it, one must bow — symbolically removing titles, status, and ego.Inside, everyone sits as equals.

Light and shadow fall softly onto the tatami,echoing the same truth that tea masters have taught for centuries:here, humans and nature meet with honesty and simplicity.

Five Tea Principles That Shape Tai-An

1. Harmony, Respect, Purity, Tranquility（和敬清寂）

To live in harmony, honor one another, cleanse the mind, and embrace quiet stillness.

2. One Time, One Meeting（一期一会）

Every encounter is unique and will never repeat in the same form.This guides our hospitality in the tearoom.

3. Knowing Sufficiency（我唯足るを知る）

True richness lies in simplicity.The materials of Chiang Mai express beauty through authenticity, not perfection.

4. Originally Having Nothing（本来無一物）

Letting go brings clarity.Silence and empty space often speak deeper truths than words.

5. Tea and Zen Are One（茶禅一味）

To quiet the mind is to taste the present moment.Martial arts and tea share this same foundation of awareness and presence.

Building Tai-An in Thailand — A Journey of Patience and Craftsmanship

Creating a traditional tearoom in Thailand was far more challenging than I imagined.Every detail — the alcove, the bamboo post, the earth walls, the nijiriguchi （躙口）— was unfamiliar to local craftsmen.

Through sketches, gestures, trial and error, we shaped the space piece by piece.This process became its own form of training:patient, mindful, and without shortcuts.

At last, Tai-An now stands complete.

Where Movement Meets Stillness

Just beside Tai-An, people from around the world train in Muay Thai,pushing their bodies with discipline and sweat.

Here, fists and serenity coexist.Strength is balanced by calm.After training the body, one may step into Tai-An to train the heart.

A bowl of matcha cools the spiritand reminds us of the respect that lies at the foundation of all martial arts.

A Universe in a Single Bowl

Tai-An is a small flower of quietude blooming in the forests of Chiang Mai—beautiful because it is imperfect,precious because each moment inside it is unrepeatable.

If your journey brings you to The Camp,I invite you to step into Tai-An, bow low,and share a moment of quiet over a bowl of matcha.

If that moment brings peace to your heart,then Tai-An has fulfilled its purpose.

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About The Camp Muaythai Resort & Academy


The Camp Muaythai Resort & Academy is a Muay Thai training resort located in Nong Kwai, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai. We are rated 4.8★ based on 400+ Google reviews, making us one of the highest-rated Muay Thai gyms and stay-and-train resorts in Chiang Mai. Our focus is on high-quality, technique-based Muay Thai training, long-stay programs, and ED Visa support for guests who want to live and train in Thailand.


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Author: The Camp Muaythai Resort & Academy

The Camp is a registered Muay Thai training school located in Nong Kwai, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, Thailand. We specialize in technique-focused Muay Thai training, long-stay programs, and ED Visa support. With a 4.8★ rating based on 400+ Google reviews, The Camp is recognized as one of the highest-rated Muay Thai training resorts in Chiang Mai.

 
 
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