The Apprentice Butler Experience: The Day's Flow and What to Bring

IBefore booking, tell us the measurements needed to choose your attire

Consulting on size in advance means telling your butler your height, build, usual clothing and shoe size, so that the attire can be prepared calmly on the day. As a guide, men are around 160–185 cm and women around 150–160 cm in height, with shoes from 24.0 to 27.5 cm; please consult us if you fall outside these ranges.

Some things are hard to convey in figures alone. If there is anything you are unsure of, such as the fit around the shoulders or the comfort of the shoes, please add a note when booking. Your butler checks the attire and replies with anything to be discussed before the day.

Both women and men may take part, and women serve among our butlers. If you have any wishes about dressing or about who attends you, please let us know in advance rather than keeping them until the last moment. We reflect them in the day's flow so that you can step through the door with confidence.

IIThere is little to bring; attire and shoes are provided at the Manor

Coming empty-handed means that the morning coat, waistcoat, shirt, striped trousers, shoes and white gloves are all provided at the Manor. There is no need to buy any attire for the apprentice butler.

If you would like to wear your own black leather shoes, or have wishes about what to wear beneath the attire, please consult us when booking. Rather than a single rule, your butler replies according to the season, your health and your usual dress.

Your butler takes the photographs. If there are scenes you would like to keep on your own phone, please say so on the day. Once inside the Manor, your butler shows you where to leave valuables and everyday belongings.

IIIOn arrival, your butler receives you at the door and confirms the day's flow

Arrival means coming to the Manor at 2-7-4 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, and beginning the experience from the door. Your butler receives you at the appointed time, takes your coat and belongings, and leads you into the Manor.

First we explain how the three hours will unfold. We confirm attire, health, the scenes you would like to keep in photographs and any unease about the hands, and answer any questions at this point. We never hurry a guest entering the Manor for the first time.

On your own, it is easy to concentrate on the conversation with your butler; with two or more, we guide you in turn while watching each other's progress. The Manor takes up to six, and we arrange the order of dressing and the positions for deportment according to the number. The Manor is never hired out unattended.

The experience begins at the door

Your butler receives you, takes your belongings and asks your wishes for the day, then leads you into the Manor.

IVFrom shirt to white gloves, your butler assists with dressing in order

Dressing is the time in which, with the shirt and striped trousers as the foundation, the tie, waistcoat, morning coat, shoes and white gloves are put on in order. Your butler prepares the attire and checks the front, side and back in the mirror.

We look in turn at the centre of the tie, the hem of the waistcoat, the shoulders and single front button of the coat, and the feel of the shoes. Do not endure discomfort; try standing, sitting and walking before moving on to deportment.

The white gloves are put on last, once everything else is in place. As you smooth the fingertips and fold your hands in front, the mood shifts from dressing to the hours of the apprentice butler. Even if you are unused to handling the attire, your butler assists with each item.

VDeportment proceeds from standing to service, always looking to the other person

The deportment you experience covers standing and moving, the bow, making tea, handling silver and service, practised in the scenes of the Manor. Your butler demonstrates first, and you follow the same order.

Rather than learning posture and the bow as mere forms, you judge by the position of the other person, the path, the table and the tools. At the door you leave the way clear for the one passing; in the dining room you leave room for a hand between the three-tier stand and the silver.

There is no need to get everything right at once. If a sound is too loud, if the gaze drops only to the hands, if a glove slips, you stop with your butler and try again. The decision to return to safety rather than hide a mistake is itself an important part of deportment.

VITea and silver are handled quietly in white-gloved hands

The tea and silver session uses a silver teapot, cups, strainer and cutlery, delivered to the other person while keeping sound and fingerprints to a minimum. Precisely because you wear white gloves, you attend to where you hold each piece and the direction of the steam.

The Manor does not serve meals. You are welcome to bring food and drink, but the experience centres on the art of tea: the position relative to the three-tier stand, the orientation in which the cup is offered, and the sound of silver being set down.

Your butler does not only show the correct taste, but watches whether you could move without disturbing the lady you serve's conversation. After setting down the tools, you step back and return your hands to the front, all in a single movement.

VIIFor photographs, we choose scenes of the Manor that convey attire and deportment

Commemorative photographs capture not only the front view in attire, but the deportment you have practised, whether the bow, tea, silver or walking the gallery, together with the furnishings of the Manor. Your butler checks posture and hands before photographing.

On your own, the full figure and the hands are carefully recorded; with two or more, scenes of offering to each other or bowing side by side can be considered. Within the limit of six, we confirm a safe position for everyone. Please tell us on arrival which scenes you would like.

Rather than posing for the sake of the picture, the shutter is pressed at the end of a real gesture. The single front button, the fingertips of the white gloves and the way the silver is held remain in one frame as the change of three hours.

VIIIThe keepsake is presented with both hands by your butler at the end

The presentation of the keepsake is the moment at the end of the experience when your butler offers one item, such as a pocket watch, with both hands. The item presented depends on what is prepared on the day.

When receiving it, recall the handing-over you practised in white gloves and take it with both hands. Waiting for the other's hand to withdraw, not concealing the item, and bowing after receiving it: you feel this sequence from the side of the one being served.

As the words say, "Three hours of memory, held in your hands": the keepsake is a token by which to recall the posture and the hands you practised. More than the item itself, we value the exchange that takes place in that moment.

Three hours of memory, held in your hands.

IXChanging back and departing, with respect for the attire you wore

Changing before departure is the time in which you remove the white gloves, then the coat, waistcoat and tie, and return to your own clothes. Rather than setting the attire down carelessly, you hand each item to your butler.

Once you are back to your original self before the mirror, you check with your butler that nothing has been left behind. Gather your photographs, keepsake and everyday belongings, and ask at the end about any gesture that stayed with you.

Your butler sees you off outside the door. The bow you received on arrival as the one being served can now, after the experience, be received with an understanding of its meaning. The three hours of the Apprentice Butler Experience last until the door closes. At Queen's Butler, the commemorative photographs capture the natural figure that follows a real gesture.

XOn rainy days or when delayed, put safety first and let us know

Arriving in the rain means not rushing to begin with wet feet and belongings, but handing them to your butler and settling first. So that no moisture reaches the attire and white gloves, the hands are attended to before moving on to dressing.

If you find you will arrive later than planned, please contact the Manor first. Rather than promising the content or finishing time on your own account, your butler advises how to proceed in light of the day's situation. We put safe arrival before haste on the journey.

As an experience run by the Japan Butler Association, we value the judgement that cares for people and tools over completing the form on schedule. According to the weather, your health and the number of guests, your butler arranges the flow within the Manor so that the three hours pass calmly.

XIConsultation on seasonal dress is welcome before your visit

Preparing for the season does not mean adding to or reducing the attire worn at the Manor, but consulting in advance about what to wear on the way and beneath the attire. If you are concerned about heat and perspiration in the warm months, or have an outer coat for the journey in the cold months, please let your butler know.

Once at the Manor, hand over the coat and belongings you wore outside, and move on to dressing once your breathing and body temperature have settled. There is no need to push yourself. Even after the attire is on, we ask about discomfort or heat and confirm you are ready for deportment.

Whatever the season, if you have belongings whose handling within the Manor concerns you, such as strong fragrances or large luggage, please consult us when booking. Rather than adding to a list of things to bring, sharing in advance only the information needed for the day is the preparation for taking part empty-handed and at ease.

XIIIf it is your first time, step through the door and leave the rest to your butler

A first experience is not a time to have rehearsed everything and move perfectly, but a time to receive in turn the butler's bow, the door, the attire, the tea, the silver and the send-off, and to shift to the viewpoint of the one who serves. Having learned the overall flow from this article, leave the finer movements to your butler on the day.

On arrival you hand over your coat as the one being served; once in attire, you watch the other person's path and hands as an apprentice. When receiving the keepsake, you return once more to being served. As the roles pass back and forth, the same bow and the same exchange come to feel different.

What we hope you take home at the end of three hours is not only the photographs in attire and the keepsake. If the small considerations of opening the door first, setting down a cup quietly, and waiting until the other person has received something come back to you in daily life, we shall be glad.