We celebrated the first tea in the New Year's tearoom with the pine, daffodils, and the hanging scroll of "Good Day".

The corona virus infection has continued so it was the first lesson without dining for a small group this year.

The large shelf on the “temae-za”(host’s place) is called "daisu", and the tools (fresh-water container, waste-water container, ladle standing) placed there are called "kaigu" with the same color pattern. The “daisu” shelf and “kaigu” were introduced from China in the 13th century and became the basis of tea. They are still used for the tea ceremony of temples and shrines as a formality.

(Upper left of photo)

Currently, the various shaped utensil stands used in the tea procedure were designed from this “daisu” shelf.

Today's “kaigu” expresses the quiet waves of the sea called "blue sea waves". This pattern contains a prayer that calm days will continue. Seasonal pictures such as pine, plum, cherry blossom, willow, and autumn leaves are drawn on the round circle, and the colors are gentle and elegant.

New Year's Combination

Hanging scroll: "Good Day (Each day is a good day) "written by Fujii Kaido of Daitokuji temple in Kyoto.

Kaigu: Ninsei style round shape on the “blue sea waves" pattern made by Mitsuru Tezuka in Kyoto.

Natsume (tea container): "Akebono (dawn of day) " favored by Gengensai (Urasennke the 11th tea master). It is for New Year with a crane and pine pattern.

Chashaku (tea scoop): "Early Spring” made by Fukumoto Sekiou of Hourinji temple.

Tea bowl: "Snow Nandin" made by Yuho Wakita in Kyoto.

Sweets: "Hanabira-mochi " (petallike cake) made by Kameya in Tokyo and the zodiac of this year “Tiger" made by Yoshinobu Tsuruya in Kyoto.

Dried sweets are papier-mâché tigers decorated as "the guardian deity of the family who dispels demons and brings good luck". It’s small but very cute.

A woman I met at the gym and her friend (pictured below). In their late 70s, they have resumed the tea in November last year, and it was a gorgeous and happy day for both of us to come to the first tea in kimono.

I also wish you a New Year greeting and hope that excellent tea lesson will continue this year.