Tea Ceremony and Maki-e Exhibition at Keio Department Store in Shinjuku

November is traditionally regarded as the New Year of Tea.

This time, I was able to put together a tea setting that felt natural to me and that I could truly be satisfied with, using the utensils and objects within my means.

I had been giving considerable thought to how best to present the tea bowl made of lacquered ceramic, and did my best to express it in my own way. I was deeply relieved and honored when a great master also kindly praised the arrangement.

Many people involved with the association, as well as members of the young practitioners’ groups from Tokyo and Chiba, came all the way to join us and gave me tremendous encouragement.

We originally planned eight sittings, but an additional ninth sitting was arranged at the last minute—and that, too, was completely full.

After sitting and talking continuously from the first sitting through the ninth, my legs were completely worn out and my throat was parched.

Thank you very much to everyone who came and shared this precious time with us!