Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama

Kyoto Kitcho, founded in 1930, specializes in Japanese cuisine using tea-ceremony kaiseki. The company aims to introduce the glories of Japanese haute cuisine to the world through carefully arranged dishes served in carefully chosen vessels. Since opening its first restaurant in Osaka, founder Yuki Teiichi has operated several branch restaurants, which began operating independently in 1991. The Kyoto Kitcho fleet now includes five luxury restaurants and two retail stores. The name "Kitcho" was chosen by local painter Suma Taisui from good luck bamboo branches sold at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Naniwa-ku, Osaka. Born in 1901, founder Yuki Teiichi was the son and heir of a Kobe restaurant owner and began training him as a chef at 15. He was introduced to tea by an encounter with Chakaiki, records of tea gatherings made by tea ceremony master Matsudaira Fumai. At 29, he opened a small restaurant and established Kitcho, Inc. He married and became the father of five children.

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