Saturday, June 21, 2014

Everlasting Summer


Margie sensei making tea

Toko Natsu Zuki
Everlasting Summer

Everlasting summer - A lovely poetic phrase that reflects today's long hours of sun.  

I had the intimidating but wonderful privilege today to be host and make tea at the Japanese Garden, my first time giving a demonstration tea here. As is true each time I make tea, the experience is unique and full of lessons.  Despite my shaking hands, I managed to make it through reasonably well. After making tea, I also enjoyed the gift of being a guest.  

 Below I will share some pictures and the flow of being a guest.
We walked to the tea room by way of the peaceful garden path

 Oh, I should mention that today is the first time I dressed in kimono all by myself.  :-) It only took 2.5 hours.
Receiving the sweet before the tea
Scooting forward to retrieve my bowl of tea

Joining the first guest to drink a bowl of tea

Enjoying the delicious bowl of tea

Taking a farewell look at the tokonoma, with the scroll and flower

The day was glorious!  An easy temperature; not hot, not cold, a subtle breeze, a fat robin hopping around with a worm. What a wonderful way to spend the solstice!


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10 comments:

  1. Ana7:55 PM

    I love that you made tea and dressed yourself in kimono! Beautiful pics too.

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  2. Steph8:01 PM

    Thank you to fellow student SR for taking the photos!

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  3. Geoff9:24 PM

    Seriously cool! I forgot they sometimes do Chanoyu there.

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  4. Marilyn Miller2:04 AM

    Yes, it was a perfect day for celebrating solstice with tea in the garden. Oh and a robin with a worm is just a perfect exclamation mark. Lovely to see the photos of you and Margie.

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  5. La Tea Dah11:31 AM

    There are no words adequate to describe the pleasure I take in reading your post today. What an honor for you to conduct a tea ceremony at Japanese Gardens --- and an equal honor for those who were able to attend/view the ceremony. And it was nice to see other friendly faces in your post as well. Savor is a word that comes to mind. Or tranquil hospitality.

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  6. Siret3:12 AM

    Dear Steph,
    thank you so much for your wonderful japanese impressions!
    You look very beautiful in the kimono, celebrating the tea-ceremony!
    Sunny greetings, Siret

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  7. Mom11:47 AM

    You look beautiful in your kimono! Glad you had this experience and hope you have many more.

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  8. Angela McRae5:45 PM

    I can't imagine you had any cause to be nervous! And that picture of the garden path is truly storybook perfect!

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  9. Steph6:28 PM

    Thank you all! Angela - My hands were shaking so much I could barely set the tea scoop where it needed to go! ;-)

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  10. Rosemary8:51 AM

    What a beautiful tea ceremony. The path to the tea room is so peaceful and tranquil. It has been so enjoyable following along on your journey.

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