Joyful Journey: A Tea Ceremony Experience with Guests from 10,000 Kilometers Away
Two guests, Áine and Jack, from Ireland, intrigued by Japanese tea culture, traveled a vast distance to join a tea ceremony hosted by Naoko. The young couple attentively listened to Naoko’s stories, eagerly participating in the art of tea preparation. I was filled with joy that they came all the way from a distant place to choose Komurasaki An for their tea ceremony experience.
Pouring and sipping matcha, they experienced Komurasaki An’s unique tea ceremony. Under Naoko’s guidance, did they enjoy the taste of the matcha that they themselves prepared, rotating the tea bowl twice clockwise?
Then, we moved from the tearoom to a Western style room. While I was preparing the certificate of completion with their photos, they were enjoying a pleasant conversation with Naoko over coffee and sweets. The time passed quickly as I handed them the certificate, and I wished that this enjoyable time could have lasted longer.
Before they left Komurasaki An, Naoko asked them, “Where are you going next?” They smiled and replied, “To the Monkey Park and the Bamboo Forest.” The happy faces of the two people are still firmly in my heart. “Áine and Jack, I hope you continue your good journey!”
