Tea Ceremony

[ellienihon]

I really should post about stuff before I forget...

I've been doing tea ceremony since October. I'm learning how to serve it, and to receive it. I guess you would call it HP... It's a 'way' in the Japanese sense. Just as the martial arts are all 'way's. I'm actually finding that it partially fulfills my need to serve and that I really like the formality of it. Every single move is proscribed. When you walk out, you turn towards or away from the guests, depending on what you're carrying or have carried (basically if it's dirty water, you turn away from the guests). When you pick up the water ladle, you do it differently, depending on whether you're going to pour cold water or hot water (different words in Japanese). The cloth in your belt has to be folded precisely the right way. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. And every movement should be smooth, graceful, and economical. I really enjoy it, although it's frustrating that my legs still go numb a lot (it's all done sitting on your knees).

Actually, I like it so much, I'm considering picking up Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy), another 'way'. (After I drop my choir)

Comments

[boundwings.livejournal.com]

That sounds really cool. I bet you look beautiful doing it. I want to see a tea cermony!! No wait maybe I want to be able to perform one too!! Sshhessh not enoough hours in a day to learn everything and work and stupid stuff like that!!

Why are you dropping choir?

[ellienihon.livejournal.com]

I thought I posted about it, but basically, my activity level was just right when I didn't have a social life. I have since developed a social life, and I just don't have the energy and time to do both.

[thespeaker.livejournal.com]

Is there another "way" that's sleeping in late and then napping in the afternoon sun? I think I could be pretty good at that one?

Seriously though, it sounds really cool. You'll have to show us all whenever you're next back out here. :)

[ellienihon.livejournal.com]

Or you could come out here... j/k

[riot-nrrd.livejournal.com]

Yes -- that sounds awesome. I'd love to learn more about it or at least see a demonstration.

[ellienihon.livejournal.com]

Well, if you ever make it out here, I promise that will be on the schedule. And I may look into acquiring a set so that I can continue at home.

[ccwong.livejournal.com]

at least you don't have to yell at the top of your lungs to express "excess courage" as I did in kendo. :-p

[ellienihon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we do it by holding the lid over the steam patiently...

[sexxyred1.livejournal.com]

Wow ellie, this is so familiar. When I was in service, my ideal of how I wanted to serve was as a Geisha. I never got to learn all the intricacies, and the skills of Tea, formal conversation, playing music, and the other gentle arts it required though. I do miss both serving and the service, although the flip side has big rewards as well. I look forward to having you perform the service as well as showing me how.