Day 193 of Firsts: Serenity at Japanese Tea Ceremony

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty. (Japanese)



I needed something easy and soothing today.  I found the Japanese House in Fairmount Park, Shofuso.  I don't know about you but I had no idea it was there until today.  Apparently it was brought to the city for an exhibit in the 50's and was later moved to the park.

It's in a beautiful setting.(Stream, koi pond, Japanese Maples.)

 They serve REAL green tea in the ceremony.  It's kind of foamy and like green tea concentrate. (No sugar allowed).  Not my favorite but I drank it. Hey, it MUST be good for you.

The sweet served is a gelatin that looks like flowers have been set in water. (No idea how they do it. It looks like art that's too pretty to eat.)

Attention is paid to the tiniest detail in the ceremony that would have been popular in Japan 400 years ago.   The idea is every moment is unique. You can't get it back. You must be aware of it: the taste of the tea, the art and feel of the bowl, the words that are said.