2011 – Hatsugama

Urasenke Tankokai Czech Association Hatsugama Shiki 2011

This year hatsugama of Urasenke Tankokai Czech Association was held for 2 days on January the 15th & 16th. Around 15 members of our group served tea to over 70 guests divided into 8 seki (seating). When the guests entered the genkan (hallway), they were welcomed by hanto who led them to the machiai (waiting room). Already in the genkan guests could notice decorations related to the year 2011, the year of rabbit, such as a table cloth with design of rabbits placed under the memory book. As the guests entered the machai, they could admire wooden tobakobon with karatsu hiire, shikishi with a picture of rabbit and writing Horai (land of eternal youth) hung on the wall. On the hon dana (bookshelf) there was a ceramic kogo (incence container) takara bune (boat of treasures) displayed. While waiting for other guests to arrive, everybody was served hot water with sakura flower.

Soon after all guests arrived, they were lead to the main tearoom. The tearoom was decorated with New Year´s symbols typical for tea. In the alcove there was niju take hanaire (bamboo flower vase) with tied willow branches (musubi yanagi). Our guests could also appreciate a traditional display of sumi kazari (charcoal on wooden stand). The scrool used in the alcove this year was Ichi go ichi e (one chance one encounter). On temae tatami there was nagaita board with Seiji kaigu with motive of chrysanthemum displayed.

Among invited guest in the very first seating, there were H.E. Japanese Ambassador in the Czech Republic Chikahito Harada with his wife and Mrs. Vera Caslavska (golden medailist from Tokyo Olympic games in 1964, recently awarded the Order of the Rising Sun - highest Japanese award) with her daugther. Guests were served hanabira mochi sweets made by members of our group and served bowl of usucha prepared by Vice-president of Czech Tankokai Mrs. Nadia Williams. Utensils used for temae were, Tsuru matsu makie chu natsume (tea caddy with design of crane and pine tree branches), kyo yaki teabowl with sho-chiku-bai and rabbit design and chashaku made by one of the member of Czech group from pine tree from Jukoin temple in Daitokuji complex named „Hatsu Yume“ (first dream). Kettle was sho-chiku-bai kama (kama with design of bamboo, pine tree and plums).

All the visiting guests seemed to enjoy a very special celebratory atmosphere underlined by informative explanation of all the symbols and things used done by our hanto.

Lubomir Cernota

Urasenke Tankookai Czech Association,

President