Tea Ceremony at the Temple

At the host family's family temple we were given a tea ceremony. The room was traditional tatami mat with views over he garden. Treasured 200 year old calligraphies hung in the alcove and ancient pottery, iron and lacquer implements were used. The tea was the new season "Shincha." It is really a most beautiful and calming experience, once can see what all the fuss is about                                                          
The old and new steps leading to the temple

 

The tea making implements 

 

 

The tea container with firefly motif.

 The water container.                                         The iron kettle and charcoal stove.
       

 

 The view of the garden.