At a Certain Seat

Three guests...
We were welcomed and led to the small room.
A typical four-and-a-half mat room, with a biwa-doko alcove in the Omotesenke style.
It is said that the owner two generations ago was very passionate about it.
The polished log construction is fresh and vibrant.
The walls are rust-colored,
and the withered, earthy texture comes alive with the steam from the kettle.
It was supposed to be a gathering for light conversation...
Since we were busy, the hostess kindly made last-minute arrangements.
The host himself performed the tea ceremony.
From the sadoguchi (tea preparation entrance),
he thrusts out his folding fan, looking a bit embarrassed.
It was obvious he wanted to quickly whisk up two bowls and get straight to being informal.
Without a pause, the hostess brought out the jikiro (food container) and closed the tea preparation entrance.
"It's early, but please," she added, not forgetting the kaishi paper and kuromoji picks...
"Without reserve..."
The main guest took one look at the underside of the jikiro lid and passed it to the second guest.
The sweet was a yam-based bun... with a plum blossom brand.
Because it had been warmed, there was a faint mist of moisture on the underside of the jikiro lid...
The signature was in the school's vermilion.
While we enjoyed the warmth and sweetness, the tea preparation proceeded rapidly.
The alcove featured a haiga painting. The atmosphere of the boiling kettle was captured in light ink.
A camellia on the alcove pillar...
In what looked like an Echizen-ware ohaguro-tsubo (tooth-blackening pot),
there was a flashy, metallic-colored hanging hook.
The way the small mouth tilted slightly was charming.
The incense container was placed in the biwa-doko alcove.
A precarious-looking Sung-dynasty ceramic piece.
The hostess looked composed, as if to say, "You surely know it well enough without me explaining."
Before we knew it, a bowl of tea had been whisked.
The hostess smoothly passed the tea bowl to the main guest.
The main guest bowed and received it.
With the sound of the tea being finished, the host began to warm the second guest's bowl.
"As always, a delight..."
The main guest expressed gratitude for the tea and sweets in a single phrase... without asking about the maker or the origin.
The second bowl was whisked quickly...
Only two bowls were brought out...
So that everyone could take turns drinking from both bowls...
The host likely wanted to move on to conversation as soon as possible. He declined to make tea for himself...
During the inspection of the tea caddy and scoop, the host and guests began to relax their posture.
Perhaps sensing that atmosphere,
on the alcove mat,
a single petal fell softly...
The hostess silently passed the incense container from the biwa-doko to the main guest,
and placed that single petal onto the paper kettle-mat where the incense container had been sitting...

"Please, take your time..."

Without a smile,
without a look of displeasure,
she quickly withdrew
through the tea preparation entrance...

Truly,

people who are capable

are beautiful...

The conversation after the tension had eased was,
as you might imagine...

Gradually turning white,

the bottom of the hearth...

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