Story 9

In the Heart of the Tea Room: Where Tradition Meets Authenticity

Step into a world where reality adopts the whimsical charm of a meticulously tended garden, and you shall find yourself in the enchanting embrace of a Japanese tea room. The gateway to this realm, often as diminutive as the fabled rabbit hole in Alice's Wonderland, beckons guests to embark on a journey akin to infancy—a gentle reminder that even the most formidable samurai commanders must temporarily set aside their mantle of duty, responsibility, and honor (for one cannot retain an air of gravitas whilst crawling, after all 😂).

Within these hallowed tea rooms, the confines are intentionally narrow and profoundly intimate, accommodating at most three souls of average stature with grace. Seated in such proximity, guests find themselves inexorably attuned to every nuanced gesture of their companions. The host, a master of practiced precision, orchestrates a meticulously choreographed ballet of tea preparation, weaving a tapestry of beauty and tradition.

As the guest observes this exquisite performance, a profound sense of gratitude unfurls—a tribute to the tea, the pristine sanctity of the room, and the understated elegance adorning the walls. Each element, a testament to the host's dedicated preparation, becomes a vessel for shared emotions.

Conversations unfold like long-nurtured sentiments, now finally finding their voice amidst the chaos of everyday life. It is here, at the threshold of the tea room, that the burdens of roles are shed—no longer boss, subordinate, parent, or neighbor. Instead, you are simply yourself, embracing the extraordinary moment when authenticity reigns supreme.

And so, we pay homage to the ingenious artifice known as "Nijiri-guchi," the crawling entrance, conceived by the visionary tea master Sen-no-Rikyu—a whimsical nod to the harmonious simplicity of life's most precious moments. ☺️🍵🌿

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Woodblock print of a tea room by MIZUNO Toshikata (1866 - 1908)

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