Happy New Year.

This year, the first tea ceremony of the year was again held on the “daisu” with gorgeous “kaigu”. The kaigu features blue waves known as "Seigaiha," with pine, bamboo, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms and willows in a circle. Looking at the gentle colored patterns, we can feel the New Year.

The hanging scroll is "好日日々是” (Good Day Daily) written by Fujii Kaido, 515th chief priest at Daitokuji in Kyoto. The flower vase was made by Eiraku Sokuzen (16th Zengoro). The thin green vase makes the New Year's flowers stand out.

The lady making the tea is a member of the Friday class. Her pale-colored kimono harmonizes beautifully with the black daisu. This year will be a year of leveling up, as she plans to obtain a higher-level tea qualification.

The tea container is named "Akebono natsume”, a favorite of Urasenke the11th Gengensai. (Photo below) The picture depicts auspicious cranes and pine trees. It feels nice and congratulatory.

The red Raku tea bowl is made by Choraku Ogawa, the second generation from Kyoto. It is a large and sturdy structure suitable for thick tea.

The dried sweets are "Lucky chestnut" and "Kusudama".

The black boxes that resemble tiered boxes are called "huchi-daka", and each box contains the main sweet. This year we enjoyed Hanabira-mochi made by "Cha no Ha" of Tama Raza again.

The first lesson in January started on a peaceful note.

Wishing you a bright, healthy and prosperous year.