An Autumn Day of Origami, Tea Ceremony, and Cultural Discovery
“Welcome to Komurasaki An!” I exclaimed, ushering the family of three into my home. A little girl, dressed in a stunning red kimono with floral motifs, smiled at me. They were visitors from France, and they had quite a bit of luggage with them. Following this tea ceremony workshop, they were going to take the Hankyu Railway to Osaka. The charming little girl, who looked like a cute doll, was just eight years old. Her mother kindly translated my English into French for her.
Shall we take a photo to mark the start of our tea ceremony lesson?
In front of the tokonoma, hold your favorite tea bowl and say “cheese”!
Mathilde, are you having a hard time turning the millstone?
Immersed in the lush greenery of the tearoom garden.
While this year has been unusually hot, today we’ve been blessed with a gentle autumn breeze that has calmed our minds. For first-time foreign visitors, a tea ceremony experience might feel like a big adventure, especially when trying traditional sweets and matcha for the first time. It’s okay if the flavors are unfamiliar at first; some people may not be accustomed to them. Please don’t feel pressured to finish everything. Experiencing a different culture is all about trying new things, even if they’re a bit out of your comfort zone.
To prepare matcha, scoop two measures of matcha powder from the tea container using a tea scoop.
How do you like the taste? Is it a bit too bitter?
Mathilde was kind enough to make origami cranes and spinning tops for us. The tops really spin!
You’re off to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka tomorrow! Fingers crossed for sunshine.
