Early summer is the season for the “furo” (brazier).
The hanging scroll is "香風”(Incense wind) written by the chief priest of Kawasaki Daishi. The incense wind is a wind that blows flowers, which means that the air becomes fragrant. It is said that “the incense wind is the voice of the Pure Land", and you can feel the time of pure heart at the fresh green season.
The flowers are azaleas and dandelions that bloomed in the courtyard. The yellow dandelions open during the day and close their flowers toward evening. They know the brightness of the sun as a wildflower.
The flower vase is a sculpture of Kamakura-bori by my friend. The tall design of black background with "raden"(mother-of-pearl work) makes fresh flowers shine.
Today, I'm using a matching set of implements ("kaigu" in Japanese) painted with bamboo pattern as a tool to enjoy the first use of the “furo”.
What is placed on the tatami mat is a "nagaita" (long board). During the season of the “furo”, tea utensils such as a kettle and “mizusashi” (water container) are placed. (Upper right of the photo)
All the utensils: "shaku-tate” to stand up a “hishaku” (ladle) and fire chopsticks, “kensui” (waste-water receptacle), "futaoki" (lid rest), and “mizusashi”, are painted with same pattern. The "nagaita" (long board) does not have the upper plate that is set on the regular shelve, so we feel airy openness.
The “natsume” (tea container) is Wajima lacquer ware "Ao kaede" (green maple tree) that we always meet at these seasons. It is easy to handle and has natural grain of zelkova. (Bottom right of photo).
The tea is served by the person who started the lesson in last spring. She is continuing to practice from the basics and making rapid progress. The summer kimono of single style is cool-looking.
Please enjoy a cup of tea on an early summer day.
Feel the wind blowing through the bamboo grove.
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