Spring Breeze

The long-awaited cherry blossoms have bloomed. We are receiving flower reports from all over the country. This year, we were worried about the rain after the flowers bloomed due to the cold weather, but they gradually bloomed, and we enjoyed cherry blossom viewing in full bloom in April.

The hanging scroll in the tearoom also calls for spring. "春風吹又生" (Spring wind blows again and gives birth again). Written by Hashimoto Shosho, the head priest of Houtokuji Temple of the Daitokuji sect in Nara. New buds will grow again with the spring breeze.

The tea stand is named “Kotobuki (a longevity)” favored by Tantansai (Urasennke the 14th). The “mizusashi” is a blue-and-white ware painting bamboo and the blue patterns brighten up the tearoom.

The flat tea bowl patterned cherry blossom is Kiyomizu ware with the name "Raft." I bought it at Sannei-zaka, near Kiyomizu Temple. Whenever I see this, the scenery of Higashiyama in Kyoto comes to mind. The “natsume “(tea caddy) is a type of long shape with weeping cherry blossoms. (Photo above)

The woman who makes the tea today started the tea lessons when she was a college student. It is calm and very beautiful. Currently, she is continuing to practice while balancing her busy work.

The dried sweets are small rice cakes and a Japanese wasanbon from my friend who went on a trip to Shikoku. “Sakura Shigure” is on each plate. Salted cherry blossoms are fragrant and delicious.

The cherry blossoms in the courtyard that I can see from my room are in full bloom in the spring breeze🌸 (Photo below)