Good Day

My tea ceremony class celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, and I compiled the blog posts I'd been writing on my website into a commemorative booklet.

The title is "好日 Kōjitsu" (Good Day). It was completed at the beginning of this year, and I've been distributing books to everyone. In January, to commemorate the booklet's completion, I hung the shikishi (decorative paper board) with the title "Kōjitsu" that I used for the cover.

Today the tea was held on a long board with the gold brocade ”mizusashi” featuring pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms. The pattern is beautiful against the black board. The thick tea was served with a Korean celadon tea bowl and a Karatsu tea caddy. The thin tea was served with an akebono (dawn) natsume usually used for the new year. She provides a calm and serene tea.

The booklet focuses selected blog posts for the four seasons, showing photos of seasonal teas and the students. The book cover features the shikishi lettering in gold leaf through printing design. The cover color and gold lettering harmonize beautifully (see photo below). While the website is language-specific, the booklet includes English across the pages.

"Kōjitsu" is a Zen term meaning to accept every day as a precious and irreplaceable day, and to cherish the present moment. I am grateful that we have been able to celebrate our 10th anniversary together, building upon our teatime. Each blog brings back memories of those days.

Tea ceremony is about the precious connection of hearts.

I hope to continue cherishing our interactions with all.