Late Autumn
We say it’s already late autumn when it comes near mid October. The clear autumn air makes the sky seem higher and particularly clear after the hot summer without any clouds. The wind blows the cool air inside the house making me feel the autumn breeze. Soon the winter season will come, changing the utensils, kimono, and the kama for Japanese Tea.
Nagori
“Nagori” – one of the Japanese words that is hard to find the exact same word in English.
In Japanese tea, from May to October, we use the kama which is to heat the water far from the guests. This is a thought to put the hot heat away from the guests when the weather is hot. When November starts, the kama is moved towards the guests, usually set under the floor so people can feel the warmth from the hot water.
October is the month of a transition from summer to winter, symbolizing the end of a season. There are particular temae only done this time of the year feeling the “Nagori” of summer.
Kama will be moved from the far left to nearly in the middle, little towards the guest, and we use mizusashi, which includes a fresh water, will be changed to what is called “Nakaoki”, a tall, slender one, placed to the left of the kama.
We also use utensils that have been chipped or broken, but have been repaired using kintsugi, a unique Japanese technique of fixing with urushi lacquer mixed with powdered gold or silver. We have fun using these utensils feeling the “Nagori”, or a nostalgic feeling of summer going away.
October is also a time to feel the “Nagori” to the tea that we have been using for the year. The Kuchikiri Tea ceremony, which marks the opening of the new tea season, is typically held in November. Right now we can buy the fresh tea powder all season, but in the old period, people felt the “Nagori” of the small portion of the remaining tea.
“Nagori” – the best English expression would be the symbolizing the end of the season and feeling a little nostalgic. What do you think?
Transition in Your Life
Not all of the events are “Nagori”. There are always special events or exhibits in the autumn season where you can see the rooms in the temple which are normally prohibited or a light up of the temple with the beautiful colored leaves.
I visited what is called “Ginkakuji Temple” or known as the “Temple of the Silver Pavilion” for the autumn special exhibits, formerly known as “Jishoji”. The special exhibit was the room of the eighth Muromachi Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa. He made this temple as his retirement villa, and he knew what he wanted. He wanted to be away from the social unrest, and just feel the beauty of everything surrounding himself.
You might not be aware but transition timing in your life comes to everyone. People feel happiness or pain, but sometimes it could change your life. Imagining and feeling Ashikaga Yoshimasa’s life, we should have a place where you can open your mind and be away from the real world. Like the clear autumn sky.
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