For a change, I now have photos from my tea
lesson. I wanted to show you an item
that I used this week. Can you guess
what it is in this picture?
It’s tsurigama,
a hanging kettle!
We use the sunken heath for winter (Nov. –
Apr.) and the brazier for summer (May – Oct.).
At the end of the winter season, a hanging kettle is often used. Instead of placing the kettle on a trivet, we
hang it from the ceiling. I don’t know
the reason why we use the hanging one, or why it’s used for this season. But, I like it anyway. It becomes a nice accent of the room and creates
a more attractive atmosphere.
 |
| There is a hook on the ceiling. |
During the ceremony, you usually rest the
ladle onto the kettle. There is no
problem with ordinary kettles, but it’s not the case with the hanging kettles. Because, they swing!
 |
This is the resting position of the ladle.
(This is not with a hanging kettle, but it’s basically the same)
|
In my turn, I tried to place the ladle onto
the kettle quietly. But still, it moved
a little and kept rocking slowly. My master
held the handle of the kettle to stop moving.
There are a few chances to place the ladle in a ceremony. Every time I placed the ladle, my master
would hold the kettle. Did I do it so badly? I would have wanted to practice placing the
ladle gently by myself, but if she holds it …
Anyways, I think that it is out
of her kindness to ensure safety and convenience. So, I hesitated to ask her not to, hahaha
(^^;; Maybe next time♪
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Hi Kohei,
ReplyDeleteGreatly enjoy your blog! Just wanted to comment on Tsurigama. From what I have learned, the swinging of the Tsurigama is symbolic of the fresh spring breeze. A slight swaying motion of the Kama is very tasteful and encouraged. This makes a refreshing experience for your guests.
Twisting of the kettle is to be avoided. It is not(as you well know from recent experience) an easy task to get it just right! Perhaps this is why your Sensei had to intervene? Another fun thing about using a Tsurigama is that it is the most appropriate time in which you are allowed to use a Gotoku Futaoki :)
Have fun with your studies and keep the updates comming!
Gassho,
Hoyu
Hi, Hoyu-san,
DeleteI’m happy learning that Tsurigama is symbolic of the fresh spring breeze. How nice it is! I actually had another lesson yesterday, and my master didn’t intervene much^^ I’m glad receiving a comment from someone like you who knows about Sado well. Arigato!
One of the blogs you follow, sweetpersimmon, implies that it hangs so that it is further outside of the hearth than it would be if it were sitting on something inside the hearth, but not completely outside like in summertime. I think it is beautiful and interesting also.
ReplyDeletehttp://sweetpersimmon1.blogspot.com/2010/03/journey-of-kettle.html
Thank you for the link! I’ll check it out. (^0^)/
Delete