After the Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration, it was time to set up for the students.
Here are the ladies unpacking and setting up on the school desks.
The tea bowls were stored and transported in these wooden boxes.
I’m told the tea bowls sometimes cost as high as $1000 , but not these bowls brought in for the demonstration.
The tea was prepared at half strength for us, in case anyone was new to the taste of matcha.
Preparing matcha for so many people at once took some time.
The same care was used ladeling and whisking here.
Alrighty, ready to serve.
Manju was served first.
Then came the tea, with a bow.
The students were instructed on proper etiquette and bowl rotation.
They thanked the host for preparing the tea by saying, “Otemae o choudai itashimasu.”
Then bowls were rotated clockwise two quarter turns.
Matcha was consumed, some with very enthsiastic slurps!
Bowls were rotated back counter clockwise two quarter turns.
Finally, the bowls were admired and appreciated.
Since only half the students could be served at one time, the bowls needed to be washed and dried for the rest of the students.
These bowls may only be rinsed with hot water, no soap.
Sohei Kagami
Mayumi was given the name of “Sohei” to signify her highly specialized training in Chanoyu.
Left to right: Sohei (Mayumi) Kagami, Kiyomi Buchanan (Sakura Gakuen Sensei), Mariko Sawada, and Etsuko Tsukano
Thank you so much to all these ladies for providing all the background information and allowing us to be a part of the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.
