tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22631800278739407562024-03-19T17:51:03.454+09:00The japanese tea ceremonyLiving in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-37989280424063266912012-01-18T11:56:00.002+09:002012-01-26T13:18:13.190+09:00Bamboo and Japanese Tea Ceremony<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Bamboo and the Japanese Tea Ceremony.</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As most of you tea enthusiast know, the bamboo plays and important role in the tea ceremony and the tea room. Bamboo can be found in many places within the tea room such as the Futaoki (kettle lit rest). The bamboo Futaoki is narrow during the summer season when the Furo hearth is used and wider in winter when the Ro sunken hearth is used because the Hishaku cup is bigger.<br />
The Hanaire (flower vase) in the Tokonoma (alcove) is frequently made from bamboo. A bamboo Hanaire can be hung from the Tokobashira which is the main supporting pillar of the Tokonoma alcove. The alcove is often considered to have the highest status in the Japanese tea ceremony. Another possibility is to place a bamboo vase on the floor in the middle of the alcove, depending on the scroll hanging on the alcove back wall.<br />
The Tabako-bon (smoking ware box) has a bamboo ashtray. A little water is poured into it in order to smoothly extinguish tobacco.<br />
The Hishaku (water ladle) is always made from bamboo. As mentioned previously, sizes vary with the seasons. Also the angle of the tip of the handle is different depending on whether it is used for the Ro or the Furo.<br />
The Chashaku (tea scoop) is mosrtly made from bamboo. In some cases the bamboo maybe lacquered. Depending on the type of Chashaku there could be a node in the middle or no node at all.<br />
The Chasen (tea whisk) is always made from bamboo. A light yellow or whitish bamboo whisk is most common. However, a smoked bamboo which has a darker color could be used for certain occasions.<br />
But also outside the tea room in the garden bamboo can often be found. This year I was asked to make various objects with fresh green bamboo for the Hatsu-gama (first tea ceremony of the year). It is common to use new and fresh objects in order to portray a “fresh start” image. It is common practice for professional tea practitioners to renew all bamboo fencing around the tea room<br />
I renewed the bamboo at the Tsukubai outside so that water flows from a fresh green source. Also I made a flower vase, a Futaoki, and the bamboo ashtray for in the Tabako-bon. My greatest challenge was to get the green bamboo to look clean and green. When I cut them down they looked grayish and had some dirt on them. I found a way to make them shiny green and my tea teacher was very satisfied. Please enjoy the result pictures below.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ5xr7v09NTwY3qmGksNpxHZ5vyn9Cpa8OmyyhGtlNc3nIEoZaN9vL6tt2P8ShieZVHmvPw5VGwH6YQnJIUOn12eCAC2WNISzpJ3-aHBNAT5WBWzSpq3oC9wDTt4xyHsfukz1FpAlLdY/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ5xr7v09NTwY3qmGksNpxHZ5vyn9Cpa8OmyyhGtlNc3nIEoZaN9vL6tt2P8ShieZVHmvPw5VGwH6YQnJIUOn12eCAC2WNISzpJ3-aHBNAT5WBWzSpq3oC9wDTt4xyHsfukz1FpAlLdY/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sdwOcyDRLwFokTwMbv3NTOJJTJUzZ2EuZHcm4UxZeURfOHEexqXbEx18V00h1Lj1cNOIdg3egJD77aZ33kQPJXzLCQ7j_vlB4Nc1yQTpWVq8bVrzXykVtoHU2_KujlG7N6Fwrwj7A3k/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sdwOcyDRLwFokTwMbv3NTOJJTJUzZ2EuZHcm4UxZeURfOHEexqXbEx18V00h1Lj1cNOIdg3egJD77aZ33kQPJXzLCQ7j_vlB4Nc1yQTpWVq8bVrzXykVtoHU2_KujlG7N6Fwrwj7A3k/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd91R4BbnkqmnpVJ4JjbI3FfDAQ51GVPUwAehqRTRNy-5ed5MRyAB6vVVePhc0m9l5X8UUsxPjFwfg8GRV_ul-f1iDa20IpPhf1ahoLrpZ44DlwCUWTWVDo6or2PV1qMjiSlV6x2jPtA/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd91R4BbnkqmnpVJ4JjbI3FfDAQ51GVPUwAehqRTRNy-5ed5MRyAB6vVVePhc0m9l5X8UUsxPjFwfg8GRV_ul-f1iDa20IpPhf1ahoLrpZ44DlwCUWTWVDo6or2PV1qMjiSlV6x2jPtA/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-41859462103408696812011-12-17T13:25:00.000+09:002011-12-17T13:25:35.660+09:00Christmas tea gifts<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762412348/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thejapateacer-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0762412348" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBa10LNgfH3JPfpj8NsdXWao0_TkgT-fywChNRnzBwtfRdKmZi5M0cO6bDLdyHEoHlpmX-467eYD7ub4uH-kSEiHfyOSu8e5UB4D8Htsf5Fi9QPAVoG_q5eO8zE6wXzDHcKRqtIA2TNw/s320/christmas+tea+set.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762412348/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thejapateacer-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0762412348">The Book of Tea, tea set </a></b></span><br />
With its emphasis on ritual and aesthetics, the ceremonial presentation of tea provides a fascinating introduction to many aspects of Japanese culture. In the popular classic <i>The Book of Tea,</i> Japanese scholar Okakura Kakuzo seeks to explain "the way of tea" to westerners, in the hope that they will understand this insightful ritual as far more than the offering of a mere brewed beverage. His profound, poetic work explores the history of tea as well as the subtler Zen spirituality behind the centuries-old ceremony. This beautifully designed kit contains Kakuzo's <i>Book of Tea</i> plus utensils to use in recreating the tea ceremony at home: a traditional bowl and split bamboo whisk. It's a wonderful way to get in touch with life's pure and simple pleasures and to learn to savor a bowl of tea in the most eloquent way.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00003ETQ9/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thejapateacer-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00003ETQ9" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs2QEw2gvQ32p2s4o_8lsSHKEZWbhX98_UNvgBbxOIjzBsKLDBpYXdDi05mCvj7RYhb3zqwZ_MiAv0a3HKRpP64Ii7kgZ-yXWqIPPrU0GsK0gRV6dxLUBK3rsSk6IWEg-vJrmG_eJ330/s1600/christmas+tea+DVD.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00003ETQ9/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thejapateacer-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00003ETQ9">Rikyu DVD</a></b></span> <br />
Sen-no-Rikyu is the most famous master of sado, and anyone interested in cha-no-yu or late 16th Century Japanese history will enjoy this film. However, be prepared to be hit with many historical one-liners meant to prompt your Japanese historical memory that the viewer is expected to know; maybe this is not a problem with Japanese viewers, but people without a background in the Nobunaga-Hideyoshi-Ieyasu unification of Japan period should have a good Japanese history at their side to understand the historical currents behind the dialog. These would include the conflicts among the above 3, the persecution of religions, the conquering of rival daimyo, and the invasion of Korea. Yamazaki, I thought, did a superb portrayal of Hideyoshi (Nakamura Hiyoshi) of village origins who rose to be "Kwampaku" (imperial representative) of all Japan.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4770025076/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thejapateacer-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=4770025076" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJQ8JvFfW-nQQGTs_dujI2T0Xh-gISINUZe8XCClTA2ps5iVYdoW5tB12YuYjCPnxOH2mfe3m8namTk8m4eRjvrCeH9AI8tpqylOOPciMZeUUzrOxAA39j5X1830Zgdt6oIknmOGlYF8/s320/christmas+tea+book.JPG" width="232" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4770025076/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thejapateacer-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=4770025076">The Tea Ceremony</a> </b></span><br />
Written by contemporary tea masters, The Tea Ceremony takes a clear and comprehensive look at the sources and inspiration of this ancient discipline. The authors trace the practice from its earliest origins to the present day, considering in detail the individuals who helped it evolve. They discuss all the elements of the ceremony-including art, architecture, incense, flowers, and the influence of Zen-and show how readily the study of tea can serve as a spiritual path to greater insight and calm.<br />
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Originally published in 1973, The Tea Ceremony has been revised extensively. Along with a rewritten and updated text, entirely new photographs and line drawings have been selected. Over 75 step-by-step stills of the tea ritual itself, featuring a number of close-up shots, give the reader a fuller visual understanding of the ceremony. Numerous line drawings illuminating the more important elements of the ceremony have been inserted for the first time, and for those readers wishing to delve further into the subject, bilingual charts of tea terms have been appended.Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-4523806436095028002011-12-13T10:24:00.000+09:002011-12-13T10:24:37.876+09:00Hope Meeting<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>2</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:SpaceForUL/> <w:BalanceSingleByteDoubleByteWidth/> <w:DoNotLeaveBackslashAlone/> <w:ULTrailSpace/> <w:DoNotExpandShiftReturn/> <w:AdjustLineHeightInTable/> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Attending the Omotesenke youth meeting last month has bore its fruits. Last week I received a mail from the vice-chairman of the youth section with a lucrative request. He invited me to be part of a Japanese tea ceremony presentation for the 2012 <a href="http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-hope/gaiyou4.html">Hope Meeting</a> which is going to be held in March. The meeting is organized by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and will be attended by about 25 Japanese PhD students and 85 selected PhD students from the countries/areas of the Asian region; Australia, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My role would be to provide explanations in English and answer questions. Of course I embraced this opportunity and set-aside my public speaking shyness. The vice-chairman told me he was glad to hear I’m on board and will inform me later of a pre-meeting date which will be held in January when he has confirmed the support of fifteen other members of the youth section. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately started reviewing some of the books on Japanese tea so that I will be able to answer questions that will be asked. I can’t wait to sit around the table to share thoughts on how to introduce the Japanese tea ceremony. I want to come up with some good ideas on how to leave a good impression on the attendants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Any suggestions? </span></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-32193196241463435802011-12-06T12:40:00.000+09:002011-12-06T12:40:27.633+09:00Omotesenke Ibaraki Youth 表千家茨城県青年部<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>2</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:SpaceForUL/> <w:BalanceSingleByteDoubleByteWidth/> <w:DoNotLeaveBackslashAlone/> <w:ULTrailSpace/> <w:DoNotExpandShiftReturn/> <w:AdjustLineHeightInTable/> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s been a long time since my last entry. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been practicing. This year I’ve been able to attend most of the Okeiko lessons. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Last month on the 26<sup>th</sup> of November there was a gathering of the Ibaraki prefecture Omotesenke youth section (</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">表千家茨城県青年部</span><span lang="EN-US">). Of all the prefectures here in Japan, (there are 48) Ibaraki prefecture was one of the few which didn’t have youth section of the Omotesenke school of tea. On 11/26 we had the start-off gathering of the Omotesenke youth section. The total number of registered members is over 120 and around one hundred were able to attend the meeting (</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">表千家茨城県青年部発会式</span><span lang="EN-US">). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Among the honorary guests was the Omotesenke Wakasoushou (</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-font-family: Century;">表千家若宗匠</span><span lang="EN-US">), who is the eldest son of the current Soushou also referred to as the head master of the Omotesenke school of tea. He gave a nice speech on how glad he was that the youth section of Omotesenke in Ibaraki prefecture was finally established and that it weighs on us to continue the tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony which is passed on from generation to generation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I felt really honored to be able to attend the meeting and think that it is important to carry on this important cultural pastime. Another plus of this youth section is that we can share our experiences with people who are roughly of our age, instead of always being surrounded by the elder teachers. It was a very bubbly, lively lunch where I felt much energy and momentum to continue the tradition of the Omotesenke school of tea.</span></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-8605655325708724912011-06-17T10:04:00.000+09:002011-06-17T10:04:38.708+09:00The meaning of a cup of teaAnother successful tea ceremony gathering held with high-profile guests in the Washington DC area. The UPF holds a tea ceremony annually to promote peace and friendly relations. <br />
Lots of smiling people seemingly enjoyed Japanese traditional sweets and green tea prepared and served by women in traditional Kimono dresses.<br />
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Here's the original article <a href="http://www.upf.org/upf-news/142-americas/3751-japanese-tea-ceremony-in-washington-dc">Tea for peace</a>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-52173839571808281572011-06-01T09:07:00.000+09:002011-06-01T09:07:29.053+09:00Tea Ceremony FORUMThere is a new <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony-forum.net/index.php">forum</a> for everyone to join and discuss about the Japanese tea ceremony. The <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony-forum.net/index.php">forum</a> is still young and is looking for improvements and suggestions from its users.<br />
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I am confident that this will become a successful <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony-forum.net/index.php">tea ceremony forum</a> for having various discussions on tea and sharing of experiences, ideas, visions, goals, pictures, event dates, etc.<br />
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If you have a blog or homepage it would be appreciated if you can share a link to spread the word. Just copy/ paste the following line into the html code of your blog or homepage.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony-forum.net/index.php">Japanese tea ceremony Forum</a></span><br />
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See you on the forum :)Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-67941246628735029372011-04-27T13:23:00.000+09:002011-04-27T13:23:50.099+09:00Tsurigama hanging kettleContinued from the previous post, I'd like to write a few thing about the Tsurigama.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Tsurigama or hanging kettle is a rare item usually used just before the Ro sunken hearth is closed to welcome the Furo for the summer season. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Tsurigama is a slightly narrower kettle which is hung from a chain exactly above the Ro charcoal pit. The Kan rings are different from those used when removing a normal Kama from the fire. The chain, the rings, and the handle are available fro reasonable prizes to extremely expensive sets with a name made by famous smiths and come in their own box.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwgF1Rr7H1y9J17NZQe9I54HlSAISiBdHYfbiyDUcDFq2BhtAmUhZvSQVXgkSyREJUfVkNMTHCiogd6HaGr-1VpQdcUjZpwdPrPqDeQNzb3YceC-Ph_uztQix3ooJwNk1FY2o3NZUlCE/s1600/tsurigama+tsurikama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwgF1Rr7H1y9J17NZQe9I54HlSAISiBdHYfbiyDUcDFq2BhtAmUhZvSQVXgkSyREJUfVkNMTHCiogd6HaGr-1VpQdcUjZpwdPrPqDeQNzb3YceC-Ph_uztQix3ooJwNk1FY2o3NZUlCE/s320/tsurigama+tsurikama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span> </span>Using it during Temae is not very different from a normal Kama except when the charcoal is changed. Then we need a few extra movements to be able to remove hanging kettle from the chain and place the Kama on the Kamashiki.</span></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-80708491240477566312011-04-27T12:27:00.000+09:002011-04-27T12:27:32.592+09:00Tabidansu Portable utensil box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKMUTdNiYyj-LHcin7re2xBwWd4gE-cQ6GW_xj0KGZPOvtcpo04os5kczHp1eE_j-2mafNugQkaGvgLykGow2IVlP5fIp7TajJ7jGwtln_oDfxXfSBSlCYKIRK0crTMBD7hE2LQzvzIc/s1600/%25E7%2594%25BB%25E5%2583%258F+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKMUTdNiYyj-LHcin7re2xBwWd4gE-cQ6GW_xj0KGZPOvtcpo04os5kczHp1eE_j-2mafNugQkaGvgLykGow2IVlP5fIp7TajJ7jGwtln_oDfxXfSBSlCYKIRK0crTMBD7hE2LQzvzIc/s320/%25E7%2594%25BB%25E5%2583%258F+008.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Our second Keiko in April came with a very pleasant surprise. Upon entering the tea room to pay a visit to the Tokonoma and the hanging scroll, there was a brand new Tabidansu in the Temae corner. Even while observing the hanging scroll and seasonal flowers, I couldn’t help peeking at the Tabidansu. Moving on to view the Kama, I realized it was a Tsurigama (hanging Kama) and the two fairly rare utensils got me really excited. My Sensei could see the excitement in my eyes and explained how she obtained the Tabidansu and that we could use it to perform various variations of the tea ceremony.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Tabidansu is a portable or travelling box used to store the basic tea utensils when planning a tea gathering outside or in location other than your own home or regular tea room. The Tabidansu has room for a Mizusashi, Hishaku, Futa-oki, Chawan, Natsume, Chasen, various linen cloths, a Chashaku, and a Kensui. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> The first shelf from below can be removed to place the Natsume and Chasen when performing outside in nature where the surface is not flat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">At the beginning of a tea ceremony with a Tabidansu, the front is closed and will be removed after the ceremony has started and is placed on the left side.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQojZbESyYGVddAPOeSFsMLQpawVExcoNLg8A97yvSg7l5Ve_v26fV0gc2h8tse-GslxGio1VUfumR5myVM2SI6aA9jVo4JoFdDsD9luWPBtNC2ELZ520_2Urk0iTlPCEoF7BQ0mpbTLM/s1600/tsurigama+tabidansu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQojZbESyYGVddAPOeSFsMLQpawVExcoNLg8A97yvSg7l5Ve_v26fV0gc2h8tse-GslxGio1VUfumR5myVM2SI6aA9jVo4JoFdDsD9luWPBtNC2ELZ520_2Urk0iTlPCEoF7BQ0mpbTLM/s320/tsurigama+tabidansu.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-40070055267384968252011-01-02T06:11:00.000+09:002011-01-02T06:11:21.965+09:00Happy 2011 with lot's of TeaThis year I'm looking to intensify my tea ceremony studies. Last year was so hectic with work and busy private schedules that I often couldn't attend Keiko tea classes. My teacher never complained and is always understanding to my situation and simply looks forward to the next time I CAN come to study tea. Talking about studying tea, I've updated the <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/classes.html">tea ceremony classes</a> page with new contact information. For all you tea-lovers out there, see if there is someone near you teaching tea or organizing tea gatherings.<br />
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The ritual in Japan is to take it easy at home for the first three days of the new year eating Osechi and soup with rice cake called Ozoni. So finally an opportunity to update some pages on my site. Updated so far are:<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html">Tea Utensils Glossary</a></li>
<li><a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/teahouses.html">Tea Houses</a></li>
<li><a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/equipment_charcoal.html">Charcoal Equipment</a></li>
<li><a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/scroll.html">Hanging Scroll</a></li>
</ul><br />
Hopefully tea enthusiasts all over the world will enjoy reading and the new pictures.Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-68497275767724619252010-12-26T07:45:00.001+09:002010-12-27T06:42:51.741+09:00Daily life and TeaOnly recently I started to notice the relation between the Japanese tea ceremony and daily life in Japan. It is frequently said that by studying the tea ceremony we'll learn many valuable lessons which can help our functioning in the Japanese culture.<br />
Basic things such as greetings, bows, and properly timed apologies are a must to master when living in Japan. We also learn appreciation for objects through the Haiken (viewing of) certain utensils. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vpB5cOjYh-_ZEKD45OuIMuNjYFhtIFy2Fv64WUkUu2vCK1593kfMZF_RoMw8OxX54A3d1R5G08S2IpUzk74RZRDmjGKpmBBop-ondxTom3WqMlTRljSKbqoVOUY4Pm7kqG9FBgcyyRM/s1600/bento.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vpB5cOjYh-_ZEKD45OuIMuNjYFhtIFy2Fv64WUkUu2vCK1593kfMZF_RoMw8OxX54A3d1R5G08S2IpUzk74RZRDmjGKpmBBop-ondxTom3WqMlTRljSKbqoVOUY4Pm7kqG9FBgcyyRM/s320/bento.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This month I noticed two very basic thing we learn during our tea ceremony classes in my daily life. The first one was when me and my colleagues we out on business and we were presented with a traditional wooden Japanese lunch box. As the eldest of our group finally sat down and told us to start having our lunch, every one just yanked off the lit and started digging in. I was so surprised that nobody knew how to properly and respectfully remove a lit from a Bento (lunch) box. That's when I was glad to know that the correct way to remove the lit from a Bento box is to use both hands to take the left and right side at the same time, then flipping it vertically so that the left side comes up and can be held by the right hand while the left hand moves to take the lower side to make the flip complete. The the lit is placed to the right side of the Bento box before saying Itadakimasu (grace). <br />
Second thing I noticed was when there was a ceremony at my high school where some kids were called on stage to receive certificates from the principal while facing the back. After that they would turn to face the other students and take a bow while receiving a round of applause. But it was the turn which was so terrible, they just swung around like monkeys. I was reminded by the way we stand up and turn to walk back to the Mizuya (back room). For a clockwise turn we first pull our right foot back and diagonal behind the left, then sliding the left foot in front of the right foot facing to the right and then stepping with the right foot in the direction we want to go. This is a nice formal turn which looks smooth and elegant. <br />
These two points add to the really simple things such as handling the Ohashi (Chopsticks) and holding a cup of tea with both hands. I feel really blessed to study the Japanese tea ceremony and hope it will learn me many more valuable life lessons.Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-67349994825415391312010-08-26T13:50:00.000+09:002010-08-26T13:50:01.553+09:00Haiken of UtensilsThis time at the tea ceremony lesson there were only the three of us. One more student, my teacher, and me. The first student practiced to make Koicha which took a long time. Together with the teacher she carefully added some hot water little by little. This resulted in a nearly perfect bowl of Koicha. This is the reason I love the Japanese tea ceremony. It’s the moment that the mildly bitter Matcha meets the pallet of my tongue after it had been sweetened by some sweet stuff in this case Omogashi.<br />
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I practiced Obon-temae. A simplified form of the tea ceremony where the Kama is replace by a kettle or any other item to hold the hot water. The bowls we use in mid-summer time are very wide and the bottom is almost flat in stead of rounding up. So I find it often very difficult to know whether I’ve put in enough or too much hot water. It is also more challenging to whisk the Matcha into a nice brew without leaving some of the Matcha un solved.<br />
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The most valuable lesson I learned today is about doing the Haiken or viewing of objects. As a guest we always admire the tea bowl after drinking from it. After the tea ceremony is finished we can ask for Haiken of the Natsume and the Chashaku. When making of Koicha is finished we can ask Go Sanki no Haiken, meaning to observe the three objects namely; Chaire, Shifuku, and the Chashaku. Once we have an item in front of us we place our hands next to the item and view it from the right, then the left, and then once more from the right before lifting it up a little to admire the utensil even closer. Today my teacher taught me that in case the Tokonoma is on the left side instead of the right, the viewing of the utensils starts by looking at it from the left, then from the right, and once more from the left. So depending on which side the Tokonoma is on, that is the side you view the utensils first.<br />
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I wonder if other students of the Japanese tea ceremony have ever heard of this or if the customs at different schools of tea are different…Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-52909938330721625782010-07-05T09:13:00.000+09:002010-07-05T09:13:54.326+09:00Japanese Tea Ceremony at UNBeside the main themes of the Japanese tea ceremony (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility), the ceremony was often an excuse for opponents to meet and sit together in a neutral atmosphere. The Nijiriguchi entrance forced the samurai to remove their swords before entering because of its small size. The Japanese tea ceremony performed by a tea master provided a peaceful meeting which could grow into fruitful peace talks.<br />
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Even now the Japanese tea ceremony is used to bring together people from various countries so that they can meet in the neutral surroundings of a tea master to enjoy a cup of matcha green tea.<br />
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I came across an article from the <a href="http://www.upf.org/">Universal Peace Federation</a> (UPF) which acts as ambassadors of peace. They organized a Japanese tea ceremony at the United Nations where representatives from various countries attended and were instructed on how to receive the tea. Later they listened to an introduction into the meaning and purpose of having a tea ceremony including some old tales of Sen no Rikyu.<br />
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I guess this is exactly how the Japanese tea ceremony is meant to take place. It is not only for the tea master to find his own silence and meditation, but it should also resonate to its participating guests so that they become humbled and united.<br />
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Here is the article : <a href="http://www.upf.org/united-nations-section/203-news/2878-nigeria-mission-to-un-hosts-tea-ceremony">Nigeria mission to UN hosts tea ceremony</a>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-75041211042508211502010-03-30T07:05:00.001+09:002010-03-30T07:13:25.020+09:00KoichaI've been practicing the Japanese tea ceremony for many years now and finally this Saturday was the first time that we (my class) practiced <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/ceremony_process.html#koicha">Koicha</a>. Previously I have seen many people prepare koicha during official and non-official tea ceremonies. However doing it myself was a totally exciting experience. Before we entered the Chashitsu our teacher carefully taught us how to handle the <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#fukusa">Fukusa</a> and how to perform certain steps before folding it to wipe the <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#chaire">Chaire</a>. We practiced folding the Fukusa a couple of times and then we moved on to practicing how to place the Chaire in the <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#shifuku">Shifuku</a>. After the Chaire was placed in the Shifuku our teacher showed us how to tie a knot with the draw-string at the top. Shifuku are most of the time made from expensive material so we were a little nervous about handling the pouch in the beginning but as we got used to the texture and the steps to closing and opening the Shifuku we were able to relax.<br />
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Preparing Koicha had many similar steps to preparing <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/ceremony_process.html#usucha">Usucha</a>, but with all the excitement of this new chapter most of us went blank. However, my tea teacher is the most patient woman in the world. She is always calm and guides us positively through all the steps. Our tea teacher really loves to teach new things and seemingly never gets tired of correcting us on the same point dozens of times. It is probably because of her that we always look forward to our tea class, there is such harmony and peacefulness that it is very relaxing and refreshing to have a tea class on Saturday afternoon. For a couple of hours we can totally forget about our worldly obligations and float in the world of tranquility that is the tea room.Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-66953770794340432112010-03-06T09:35:00.003+09:002010-12-25T13:05:03.082+09:00Japanese tea ceremony classesAll over the world the Japanese tea ceremony is gaining momentum and increasingly more people want to study the way of tea. Through other Japanese arts such as Ikebana, Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), the art of growing Bonsai, which have many practitioners they might be introduced to the Japanese tea ceremony and eventually want to take a few classes or a course to deepen their understanding of the japanese way of preparing tea. Tea ceremony classes are held all over the world, tea classes in America, tea classes in Europe and in other Asian countries as well.<br />
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If you are interested in taking Japanese tea ceremony classes take a look at this <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/classes.html">Japanese tea ceremony classes</a> list to find classes near you. <br />
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If you want to suggest a Japanese tea ceremony class to be added to this list, you can leave a reply on this blog or fill out <a href="http://japaneseteaceremony.wufoo.com/forms/tea-ceremony-classes-in-japan-and-abroad/">this form</a> for swift submission to the list. Inform us of the<br />
<ul><li>teacher's name </li>
<li>location of the classes</li>
<li>contact information</li>
<li>and a short discription for the best results.</li>
</ul>We wish everyone to enjoy learning the Japanese tea ceremony in classes near their own home.Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089380702816811147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-40979150166855500022010-01-07T05:22:00.004+09:002010-12-25T13:05:31.213+09:00HatsugamaIt is again the season where Hatsugama is the main event in the tea room. For some of you the Hatsugama (first tea ceremony of the year) may have finished already. But mine will be on the 17th of January and it will be the only tea gathering in this month so we'll have to make the best out of it.<br />
Last year was a busy year and I haven't been able to go to every Keiko. I have completely forgotten what we did at last years Hatsugama, so I hope to get some advice from fellow tea ceremony practitioners out there. If you have any tips or pointers for me, please leave a message on this blog entry. Thank you!Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-54874982673754590232009-08-11T07:16:00.003+09:002010-03-06T10:06:43.644+09:00Remembering the stepsI have been practicing the Japanese tea ceremony for more than four years. From this spring however, I had been unable to attend my teacher's lesson for about four months. Doubting if I would be able to perform the basic sequence of the tea ceremony I felt a little nervous. Once I sat down to begin, my hands moved without thinking about it. Even my teacher was surprised at how fluent, maybe more than before, my movements were. I realized there that preparing tea at the tea ceremony comes not from the mind but from experience and is expressed from the heart. I realized that thinking would only create confusion, as that is something our mind is very good at. Once we start to think what the next step is or where we should place the tea tools, our mind would come up with several options and create confusion.<br />
Tea is prepared from the heart with the guests' pleasure and enjoyment at the core of every movement. Fluent movements to please the guests' eyes and sounds of various tea tools to signal the progression of the preparation of tea.<br />
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The steps to the ceremony are quite simple: Start with cleaning the serving bowls as the Japanese tea ceremony is all about cleanliness, boil some water, serve a sweet treat produced locally or something more exclusive to guests before the tea, mix powdered bitter green tea (Matcha) and water to make a frothy tea. To make the best frothy tea, using a traditional Japanese whisk called <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#chasen">Chasen</a> is recommended. Serve the tea to guests. The flavors of the sweets and bitter tea compliment each other. This is a sign of balance and harmony.<br />
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How to receive the bowl of tea as a guest at a Japanese tea ceremony:<br />
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<ul><li> Bow when you receive the cup of tea which is called a Chawan.</li>
<li> Take the chawan with your right hand and place it in the palm of your left hand.</li>
<li> Turn the Chawan clockwise two or three times( depending on which school of tea the teacher belongs to) before you take a drink.</li>
<li> When the tea is gone, make a loud slurp to inform the host that the tea was truly enjoyed.</li>
<li> Wipe the part of the Chawan your lips touched between the tips of your thumb and index finger of your right hand.</li>
<li> Turn the Chawan counterclockwise and return it to the host.</li>
</ul><br />
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The soul of the Japanese tea ceremony is not the perfection of the ritual preparation, it is the time and efforts made to entertain and satisfy guests. This is what my tea teacher taught me and what I slowly begin to understand. For about two weeks now, I have been drinking a bowl of Matcha in the morning instead of coffee. It feels really good!! Matcha contains some caffeine which is however released over a longer period of time. Caffeine from Matcha is released over approximately 8 hours. See <a href="http://the-japanese-tea-ceremony.blogspot.com/2009/01/matcha.html">Matcha health and nutrition</a>. Matcha contains a lot more that caffeine, it is filled with minerals, aminos, and vitamins. This is because Macha is powdered made from the whole leaf.<br />
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I felt really satisfied with drinking Matcha in the morning and didn't feel the need for drinking coffee. Last Monday two friends came over and instead of serving them coffee as usual, I brought my <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#chawan">Chawans</a>, <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#chasen">Chasen</a>, <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#chashaku">Chashaku</a>, <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#natsume">Natsume</a>, and a pot of hot water. I tried very hard and had bought Manju which were on a Kaishi. This from was really simple and I should deliver a bowl of green tea in a minute.<br />
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Here we go... Some of you who have some experience with making tea know that after 5 - 7 seconds of whisking with the Chasen, the tea will start foaming (which is good). But as some might have noticed here, there wasn't a <a href="http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/utensils.html#kensui">Kensui</a>, which means that I couldn't warm the Chawan before making the tea. I tried very hard to get it foaming without appearing too desperate, but my efforts were in vain. I could get only a few foamy bubbles which were not enough even for Omotesenke which usually calls for foam around the edges and a little spinning foam in the center. It was apparent that the bowl and the Chasen need to be warmed to achieve the best results. This is something i learned the embarrassing way. My friends told me that the tea was good, but I know better...<br />
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For all of you reading this post, don't forget to warm the Chawan!<br />
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</script>Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-24031923532303288682009-01-20T13:43:00.008+09:002009-01-24T08:39:45.040+09:00Hatsugama 2009Finally, we had our first tea of the year during Hatsugama. Spirits were high and it was a busy morning getting the Chashitsu and utensils ready for <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvvG-m8Wmkf1PRgzCrqPpBdva1QM2BGHavlh9A93CXIq940yyBPjQh-qXLdS6h2kQTBZJl4M9f1imLxbh7mMG-T0wXDiatv4nwGxBD3fClpOK2khiMsZ8RVz8vouqr_172jTxSWZO4wUg/s1600-h/hatsugama-2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvvG-m8Wmkf1PRgzCrqPpBdva1QM2BGHavlh9A93CXIq940yyBPjQh-qXLdS6h2kQTBZJl4M9f1imLxbh7mMG-T0wXDiatv4nwGxBD3fClpOK2khiMsZ8RVz8vouqr_172jTxSWZO4wUg/s200/hatsugama-2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293234406334067650" class="picture" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">this great event. Unfortunately we had some rain which resulted in the women staying indoors and not washing their hands and rinsing their mouth at</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> the Tsukubai as is customary before entering a Chashitsu and especially during </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Hatsugama. All women wore their best and most expensive Kimono's which are made of silk and other fine materials and might get stains from the rain water. Entering the Chashitsu for the first time this year, we all paid tribute to the Kakejiku (hanging scroll), Chabana (flower </span><span style="font-size:100%;">arrangement) and the Kama (hot water kettle). Our teacher exchanged greetings with all students one-by-one, thanking for previous year's efforts and expressing wishes for a healthy and fruitful new year. First on the agenda was the re-firing/ re-lighting of the Ro (hearth). Before any tea is to be considered, water must first be warmed to almost boiling temperatures. Everyone gathered around the Ro to see the Sumi (charcoal) being arranged by our teacher around the few already softly burning pieces of charcoal. Since most of us are beginners, we awed at the teacher's smoothness and rhythm in which the charcoal was build. Returning to our seats, we we honored to view the Kogo (incense container) one-by-one.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Kaiseki</span></span></p><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide73Ul2TVARHU_U6uwjuX-nMNud_uM6Lj1OfkxCuSeGVkFpPrgID-rrvkZIBUJ5K8JmEGgn8h5LUPnEDFxQlLkrfumYoTR44q1Fl5LhiW1lxH9PivgAju8wbnikF0zEw5aRj1b51fSGmQ/s1600-h/hatsugama+kaiseki+meal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide73Ul2TVARHU_U6uwjuX-nMNud_uM6Lj1OfkxCuSeGVkFpPrgID-rrvkZIBUJ5K8JmEGgn8h5LUPnEDFxQlLkrfumYoTR44q1Fl5LhiW1lxH9PivgAju8wbnikF0zEw5aRj1b51fSGmQ/s200/hatsugama+kaiseki+meal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293232887960620882" border="0" class="picture" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxipWTstqOomMuN3TIqaBxg72R6EzXEGMkZ8fpqPYf6rfhUBKE0OAB2e_EjzqZ0G2WNVsYqdJGQuZVFLsGP6wszPDyf-gtz6UoceAfEwZIkZRBwIwJMDKa-gfysXavWhnoMvl__bClccAM/s1600-h/Sushi.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxipWTstqOomMuN3TIqaBxg72R6EzXEGMkZ8fpqPYf6rfhUBKE0OAB2e_EjzqZ0G2WNVsYqdJGQuZVFLsGP6wszPDyf-gtz6UoceAfEwZIkZRBwIwJMDKa-gfysXavWhnoMvl__bClccAM/s200/Sushi.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293233128714823186" border="0" class="picture" /></a><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hatsugama is similar to a Chaji (full tea ceremony with meal) and the different parts such as Sumitemae, Kaiseki, Nakadachi, Koicha, and Usucha come in the same order. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">As I might have mentioned in a previous post, one of the students is a Sushi chef and always prepares wonderful food. This time he prepared a beautifully decorated tray with Sushi and Kaiseki meal in boxes. Kaiseki came with sake and a relaxed atmosphere.<span style=""> </span>Kaiseki meal contained boiled vegetables, fish, pickled radish and boiled rice. It was an absolute feast for our mouth and satisfaction for our tummies. Actually, students of a certain tea class have to prepare the Kaiseki meal together and divide various parts of the Kaiseki meal among each other. Or the person in charge of preparing Kaiseki should be rotated on a yearly basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Fuchidaka </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Next, we were presented with the sweets in a Fuchidaka. Every layer contains one or two pieces of sweets. Shokyaku has only one and most other </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oOfnlwKUSZRLyt_-9lLZSyGNHVe4iW95nxgZbzFHDvwGUoCv8GeG6yP1K_GajC1dEBNL_zYTVhG-TaVJYfqjkQcVTOkqnAaZk7jJCsC1chEvrT9GdnUquvkoD-HHiXhXztOyFJWABZnv/s1600-h/fuchidaka.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oOfnlwKUSZRLyt_-9lLZSyGNHVe4iW95nxgZbzFHDvwGUoCv8GeG6yP1K_GajC1dEBNL_zYTVhG-TaVJYfqjkQcVTOkqnAaZk7jJCsC1chEvrT9GdnUquvkoD-HHiXhXztOyFJWABZnv/s200/fuchidaka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293235224872372754" border="0" class="picture" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">layers have two pieces. The Fuchidaka is placed in front of the knees as usual, then the second layer is slid away from the body by just a few </span><span style="font-size:100%;">centimeters, just enough to place a Kuromoji (wooden chopstick) in the bottom box. The remaining boxes are passed on to the next guests. From here on most boxes contain two sweets, thus from below, the second layer from below is slid backwards and two Kuromoji are placed in the bottom box. Leaving the bottom box in front of the knees, the other boxes are passed to the next and the next guest who again places two Kuromoji in the bottom box etc. Most of us had never used this style and needed to be guided by the teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Nakadachi</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">During Nakadaichi we all helped cleaning up the meal trays and prepared the room for Koicha and Usucha. It was still raining outside so we didn’t go out of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Hatsu Koicha</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To balance our pallets we were pleased with high-grade Koicha. However, there was a “special” guest invited by our teacher with almost zero experience, he was seated next to me but didn’t drink much Koicha and left a lot for me. Since I was the third guest to drink and finish the Chawan, it took me some time to drink about half a bowl of Koicha which is meant to be shared by three people. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Usucha</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Finally it was my time to get to work, a bit tipsy from the Sake but fully aware and conscious enough to pour my heart in every bowl of tea. There were in all about fifteen people who were thirsty for Matcha after having eaten their tummies full with really great food. First I brought in the Tabako Bon (box with smoking ware), then a tray of sweets. My Hanto (assistant) was and experienced older woman who liked doing that kind of job. It took me much longer than I had expected to prepare Matcha for fifteen people. I remembered some advise which I got from my wife a few months ago that I should move quicker because people are waiting for tea. I tried to speed things up but still for me it seemed to take ages. At the end my legs were completely numb so it took a couple of minutes to get enough blood flowing through my veins again to stand up and bring Mizusashi, Chawan, and Natsume back to the Mizuya. After this, our teacher prepared some presents for us, expressing her gratitude and hopes for a fruitful 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-66286978186500306542009-01-17T20:39:00.004+09:002010-03-06T10:15:21.829+09:00Matcha<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 100%;">Recently I've noticed various reports and stories about Matcha, this inspired me to do some more research on my own into that magic green powder which I so often pour into my Chawan, mix with hot water, and serve to my guests during a Japanese tea ceremony. Matcha obviously has a great history being introduced to Japan by China more than a thousand years ago. At early times green tea was only made from the leaves but after Japanese monks became more interested in this marvelous elixcer, powdered green tea was developed. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
Matcha Production:</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Matcha is the green powdered tea used during Japanese tea ceremonies. Only the leaves of trees which grew in the shadow are used to make Matcha. After the green tea leaves are harvested they are steamed, dried and then further processed to remove the leave veins, stems and impurities. Resulting in remains of only about 10% of the original harvest, and this is called the "Tencha". The Tencha is then ground to a fine powder (traditionally in a stone mill). It takes about one hour to produce an ounce of Matcha, because grinding any faster would result in a burnt tasting tea.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Matcha Increasing Popularity:</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Matcha is becoming increasingly popular in the Japanese and international beverage and food market because of its versatility and health benefits. Matcha's flavour blends well in dairy-based recipes and its powder form makes it easy to work with. Matcha is being used in Matcha ice cream, Matcha cakes, Matcha chocolate, Matcha latte beverages, Matcha Mochi (rice cake) etc. There is no limit to the recipes that Matcha can be added to.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Matcha and Caffeine:</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial;">Matcha does contain a small amount of caffeine, but like all green teas also contains L-theanine. L-theanine increases the alpha wave activities in the brain, which creates a feeling of relaxation. L-theanine is associated with increasing the ability to focus and concentrate, but not agitate the nervous system. Researchers believe that this maybe on of the reasons that drinking tea tends to have a calming, refreshing effect, rather than the jittery effects of coffee. Because drinking coffee gives a quick,sudden boost of caffeine which is absorbed quickly unlike caffeine from Matcha which is released over 8 to 10 hours. It has been noted that Buddhist monks frequently drink Matcha, green tea, Oolong tea, etc, and rarely appear agitated or nervous. It could be the L-theanine!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Matcha Health Benefits:</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial;">When brewed, the powdered leaf is not strained or left in the pot, but is whisked into a frothy concoction and consumed. Since you are actually ingesting the green tea leaves when you drink Matcha you are receiving the full benefits of all the nutrients and antioxidants in the leaves. According to researches done in Japan, brewed Matcha contains nearly 10 times the polyphenols and antioxidants of regular teas, 2 times the antioxidants of a glass of red wine, approximately 9 times the beta-carotene of spinach, and 4 times that of carrots.Listed below are some of the many health benefits of Matcha green tea.</span><br />
<br />
<ul style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><li>Significantly increases energy (over 8 to 10 hours) without the caffeine "jitters".</li>
<li>Improves mental alertness (L-theanine component).</li>
<li>Increases calmness and reduces stress (L-theanine component).</li>
<li>Boosts metabolic rate by 35-40%.</li>
<li>Powerful "Anti-Aging" activity due to the super-charged antioxidants.</li>
<li>Lowers blood pressure.</li>
<li>Decreases level of LDL or "bad"cholesterol.</li>
<li>Minimizes symptoms of PMS.</li>
<li>"Super" cancer-fighting and cancer-preventative activity (due to extremely high levels of polyphenols and catechins).</li>
<li>Eases constipation due to high level of easily absorb able dietary fiber.</li>
<li>Stabilizes blood sugar levels.</li>
<li>Powerful anti-biotic and anti-viral activity.</li>
<li>Strong blood detoxifier and alkalyzer, due to the high Chlorophyll content.</li>
</ul><span style="color: black; font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Matcha Nutritional Chart:</span><br />
<br />
</span></span></div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium none;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Per 10 grams.<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Matcha <o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">Green Tea</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Black Tea<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Caffeine <o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">0.3 g<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0.02 g</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0.06 g<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Polyphenols<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">(Anti-oxidants)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">1.0 g<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0.07 g</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0.03 g<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Carotene<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">2900 μg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Dietary Fiber<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">3.9 g<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">None</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">None<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Protein<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">3.1 g<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0.2 g</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0.2 g<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Calcium<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">42 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">3 mg</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">1 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Iron<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">1.7 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0.2 mg</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Potassium<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">270 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">27 mg</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">9 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Vitamin A<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">480 μg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #cc33cc; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Vitamin B1<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">0.06 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12.8pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Vitamin B2<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">0.14 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">0.05 mg</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12.8pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">0.02 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="height: 12pt;"> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; color: transparent; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.45in;" valign="top" width="139"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">Vitamin C<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: transparent; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.9pt;" valign="top" width="95"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">6 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: red; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #669900; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: #cc33cc;">6 mg</span><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-color: rgb(240, 240, 240) windowtext windowtext rgb(240, 240, 240); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; color: #663300; height: 12pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 87.65pt;" valign="top" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 100%;">2 mg<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 100%;">Besides this, Matcha also contains: Niacin, Folate, Riboflavin, Thiamin. Trace minerals, Magnesium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorus. Sodium: 250mg per 10 grams. <br />
<br />
With this post I hope more people will try drinking Japanese Matcha from now on. This long list of heath benefits is hard to find in any other vegetable, fruit, or tea. <span style="color: #000099;">So I guess it's worth giving it a lash.</span><br />
<br />
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</script></span>Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-56932692647081588972009-01-13T09:07:00.006+09:002010-03-06T10:22:56.087+09:00Japanese tea ceremony in January<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">January is a month with various celebratory events for tea people. Since I am not a tea master </span><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">yet, I had to do some research on dates and related events. Doing this I stumbled into my book collection and came up with the following:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXvOlIpBUySrO54QQ5hv95bcNVrimjw7CBqV7OozbfcgiYVNaJtm-58Qqc6W4R-OuVCjK_VsdYmDkHcEbM8byPLDPXEoERJOriihNSEVybvl-Db3Nm0t705le4_lmyOUJjdJYS3LUmbc8/s1600-h/shukou-mochi-January.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290564139520378594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXvOlIpBUySrO54QQ5hv95bcNVrimjw7CBqV7OozbfcgiYVNaJtm-58Qqc6W4R-OuVCjK_VsdYmDkHcEbM8byPLDPXEoERJOriihNSEVybvl-Db3Nm0t705le4_lmyOUJjdJYS3LUmbc8/s320/shukou-mochi-January.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 144px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 213px;" /></a><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Kashi (菓子) Sweet cakes for January.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Shukou-mochi was favored by the great tea master Murata Jukou (Shukou), hence the naming. During the first days of January it is customary for Japanese to eat mocha (rice cakes). Mochi is made from pounded rice which is then heated on fire and then wrapped in Nori (seaweed) or placed in a stock-soup to make Ozoni. However, </span><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Shukou-mochi is made by dipping or soaking the Mochi into hot water to soften it, and then a blend of red and white Miso-paste flavored with sugar is put on top. Shukou-mochi is placed on individual dishes.</span><br />
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</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWsEnie77_vzbYC1fSC4pN3x3j6RhN6_CFX5efAMNc6n8B3BUd6UtVfpa0DpTi7GxxeUWRAyQVlKgDw-FvXjxuCGDH5i-gOZocCuEDNUzc-_qMkZZ27ZvV0IteLz7OERNyPkM7OzDYnj1/s1600-h/fukujusou-flower-january.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290564799072321938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWsEnie77_vzbYC1fSC4pN3x3j6RhN6_CFX5efAMNc6n8B3BUd6UtVfpa0DpTi7GxxeUWRAyQVlKgDw-FvXjxuCGDH5i-gOZocCuEDNUzc-_qMkZZ27ZvV0IteLz7OERNyPkM7OzDYnj1/s200/fukujusou-flower-january.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Hana (花) Flowers for January.</span></span> <span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><br />
One of my favorites is the Fukujusou (福寿草) is a small plant which gives golden, yellow flowers. Apparently it is in the in the Buttercup family and its leaves look like those of carrots. They used to grow in the cold mountains but recently they are mostly cultivated. Fukujusou can be arranged in a small vase but it looks very cute when they are planted in a flower pot with a bed of white sand or small light stones. The flower pot can be placed on the floor of the Tokonoma. Fukuju means “happiness and longevity”. This flower is also called Ganjitsusou (元日草) or Gantansou (元旦草) which mean “first day of the year.”</span><br />
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Gyoji (行事) Events for January.</span></span> <span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><br />
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- Starting in the early morning of January first is Oobukucha (大福茶). This is usually Usucha poured over Ko-ume (tiny pickled plums). Water for this first cup of tea is taken from the well at four o’clock and is called Seika-sui (water drawn at four o’clock on Jan. first). For tea-families this event is attended by all family members and tea ceremony is commonly performed by the youngest member.</span> <span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><br />
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- San-ga-nichi (三ヶ日) or Gakyaku-mukae (賀客迎). For tea people is customary that friends or other related people come to visit (well-wishers) during these first three days (San-ga-nichi) of January. The Tokonoma alcove becomes a focal point during these days so an appropriate and auspicious scroll should be selected.</span> <span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><br />
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- Hatsu-gama (初釜), Tate-zome (点初), Keiko-hajime (稽古始), Hatsu-chanoyu (初茶湯) are all names for the first official tea ceremony practice of the year at the tea master or tea teacher’s house for his or her students. This event is usually a Chaji with a meal. The first tea (Koicha) is often served by the tea master or teacher which is a once-a-year performance. Other students might be asked to prepare Usucha.</span> <span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><br />
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There are many more flowers, cakes, and events to write about but that would take too much time and would bore you, the reader, because the post would get too long. If you have any comments or questions just leave a comment.</span><br />
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</script>Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-31052568539110190792009-01-06T12:43:00.007+09:002010-03-06T10:23:24.829+09:00Japanese tea ceremony Bonenkai reportAs I promised in my previous post, here is (a bit late) the report of the Bonenkai tea ceremony. I was afraid that I would forget my camera, and indeed, I did... However, we had a lot of tea because most of the students were given the year's final chance to Practice their preparation ritual. Some only did Sumitemae and Gozumi, while others whisked their final green tea froths. When my turn came, I felt comfortable and relaxed,but my weak point is that I often forget to take the lit from the Mizusashi <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> pouring hot water in the Chawan. Luckily my tea teacher was explaining something to other students, I guess she trusts most of my preparation movements and let me move freely without giving too many comments. I know this is not always good, there are tea teachers who are much more strict and unfriendly than mine. I think that is another reason why I am still able to cheerfully practice the Japanese tea ceremony. Making the same mistakes for months in a row, my tea teacher has great patience.<br />
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Anyway, after the four hour long tea Keiko, we the students and the teacher as well, were pretty beat, and so we went to a nearby Sushi master who always seems to have the best fish and most original dishes.<br />
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It was a great way the end the year, with this Bonenkai lesson and Sushi.<br />
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</script>Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-26306527276114495182008-12-06T15:21:00.007+09:002009-01-17T20:29:40.132+09:00Japanese tea ceremony BonenkaiBonenkai is a Japanese word for "end-of-the-year-party". Most companies, clubs, and other kinds of groups have a traditional bonenkai in December to officially end the year. My tea teacher's Bonenkai will be on Saturday the 13th this month. Some of the students including me will prepare Usucha for the other students and my tea teacher. Last year we didn't have a Bonenkai because schedules didn't match. This year the Bonenkai was announced in November so everyone kept the 13th free. at the Bonenkai, student who come to Keiko regularly will bring "Osebo" which is a small present or gift to the teacher as a token of appreciation. The teacher has taught us many things about the tea ceremony this year so I have bought a very expensive box of Okashi sweets which she can use during Keiko next year. After the 13th I'll write a report on this blog.Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-30898452962689450982008-09-15T21:37:00.008+09:002009-01-17T20:15:40.648+09:00Mito Kairakuen Kobuntei tea ceremonyKobuntei is an old villa within Kairakuen park. Kobuntei was build by a Samurai named Tokugawa Nariyaki as his summer villa. This Kobuntei villa is still in very good shape and open to the public for about two hundred Yen on normal (event less days) . Yesterday I attended a Japanese tea ceremony Chakai within the villa hosted by the Omotesenke school of tea. It was such a great tea ceremony because from the Kobuntei we could see the full moon rising above the trees while sipping a delicious cup of tea. I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the Kobuntei villa and the full moon turning yellower as the minutes went by, that I hardly paid any attention to the Temae performed by an experienced tea ceremony teacher. the sweets which came with the tea were really delicious but I still regret leaving my camera at home...<br />My own teacher was with me while enjoying the full moon rising and she told me that on every first Sunday of the month there is a tea ceremony at the Kobuntei. If I had known that I would probably have been there more often to enjoy the Japanese tea ceremony.Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263180027873940756.post-48074685718914935872008-09-15T21:22:00.005+09:002009-01-17T20:15:01.765+09:00Tea ceremony in Mito city, Ibaraki prefecture JapanYesterday I enjoyed three different styles of the Japanese tea ceremony, the first one was Enshuryu, the second one was Edosenke and finally Omotesenke.<br />At Kairaku-en in Mito city there are various open-air tea ceremony events throughout the year. One of these events is during the plum harvesting season and the other one was yesterday. Yesterday's open-air Japanese tea ceremony was held to celebrate the new full moon. Various schools of tea gather their members and setup their ware to entertain guests with the Japanese tea ceremony. I would say that it is almost for free, it was eight hundred yen to attend three tea ceremonies. I guess this small amount would not even cover the cost for the sweets we ate, because they were quite good quality. At a meeting like this it is a great opportunity to see different styles and how they differ in their movements and the order in which the various tea utensils are cared for. As I am a student of the Omotesenke school of tea, I learned many things to improve my Temae just by watching others prepare a cup of tea for me. For those of you living in Japan in or around Ibaraki prefecture I'd really recommend you find out when the next open-air tea ceremony event is held and come over to have a cup of green-tea.Living in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904984856574427501noreply@blogger.com0