Yamahira Atsushi
Yamahira Masako
On a day when the long-awaited cherry blossoms were in full bloom, Joi Ito and Oki Matsumoto held a tea ceremony at a tea room in Tokyo. I, Masako, attended the event as the recorder.
Koicha, Thick Tea Ceremony
Hanging on the wall is a scroll entitled "Shofu Issetsu ni Kyousu”. It is calligraphy by Tantan-sai, the 14th headmaster of Urasenke. It is said to be a Chinese poem about drinking tea made of clear water and sipping it with wind from the pine in a valley.
In Japanese, a pine is read as “Matsu”. I looked at this scroll, thinking that the name of one of the hosts, Matsumoto, contains the same kanji.
A hefty Bizen Mizusashi full of cold water and and hot water boiling in a kettle.
When the tea was prepared and the sweets were ready, I heard lively voices from outside. It seemed that today's guests had arrived.
There were five guests today. They are mutual friends of Joi and Oki, who came from England.
As the guests had never experienced the tea ceremony, Oki was the main guest.
When the tea party started, Japanese sweets were served.
This confectionery represents cherry blossoms and peach blossoms swaying in the spring sunlight.
The name “Hanadoki” of this confectionery comes from a poem written by Murasaki Shikibu's husband, who wrote, "Why is it that we love cherry blossoms, which fall so quickly, even though there is also the peach flower?” ※For more information on this confectionery and poem, see this website.
While explaining the history of the tea ceremony and how to enjoy it, Joi performed the koicha tea ceremony.
Joi studies under Urasenke school, and Oki learns from the Enshu school. They are different schools of Japanese tea ceremony. Many schools of tea ceremony exist in Japan.
The guests are very interested in the differences between the schools and the tea ceremony of the samurai period.
The tea bowl for the main guest was made by Keinyu, the 11th generation of Raku family (1817 - 1902) . It is said to be a work from early in his career. He chose this tea bowl because he saw parallels between himself, who had only studied the tea ceremony for less than two years, and Keinyu at that point in his life.
The chashaku, tea scoop, is inscribed “Hibi Aratani” (new every day). It is a kind of mindset of him, who says he never misses a chance to practice his tea ceremony every day.
After a lecture, everyone enjoyed the tea.
Usucha, Thin Tea Ceremony
Next, we moved to a space near the tea room, where it was Oki's turn to serve the tea.
In the Enshu school, it is said that they can freely choose the color of the fukusa.
The name of the Natsume (tea container) is “Star Shine”. The teacups were covered with silver foil, and it seemed as though the stars from the Natsume were flowing into the teacups. This teacup was inscribed with the name “Night Air”.
The dried confectionery represents a paper balloon. These sweets are light and pleasant to the touch. The five shades of colors reminded me of the five-colored strips of paper used for Tanabata.
The matcha’s name is stardust white" ( made by Fukujuen).
The night sky was felt from the numerous utensils, and this whole tea party seemed to be surrounded by stars. The ceremony was delicate and romantic, reflecting Oki's refined taste.
Finally, they reviewed the list of today's tea ceremony and discussed the tea bowls and sweets.
At the end of the day
Noon, when the wind blows through the pines and the cherry trees and peaches are in bloom. And at night, when the stars shine in the quiet sky. The tea party felt like a journey through a spring day.
When I was cleaning up after the tea party, I found this poem on a box of matcha.
橋姫の織や錦と見ゆるかな 紅葉いざよう宇治の川浪
Meaning - Beautiful autumn leaves are flowing down the river in Uji like the brocade of the Hashihime, goddess who protects bridges.
Did this tea container serve as the bridge that connected Joi and Oki's tea party? I felt as if I had discovered a hidden secret.
The name of this tea party by Joi and Oki is “Ren”. The name derives from the waka and tea ceremony gatherings of the Edo period, called “Ren”.
I am looking forward to seeing how the “Ren”, formed by Joi and Oki, who are leading the latest technology, will expand in the future.
Photo by Yamahira Atsuhiro Text by Yamahira Masako
