 Ladies
and Art
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This subject will come up once in a while. It happens every time I see
really wonderful things that impress me. The tea ceremony is one art form
that really pleases me, and which I enjoy watching, as well as drinking
the tea. Many people say the tea is too bitter, but I advise them that
they must appreciate the beauty of the ceremony and the mood where everyone
is the same, enjoying each other's company. My wife is practicing it every
week and has her teacher's certificate. She is very shy, though, like
me, and would rather practice with her friends than teach.
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Matsue is rather famous for the tea ceremony since the seventh Lord
of Matsue Castle, Fumaiko Matsudaira, loved the tea ceremony and did much
to advance it here. He had two tea houses built. The first, Meimei-An,
was built in 1779. It was rebuilt at its present site in 1966. That is
why it looks so new. Its present location also gives a fine view of Matsue
Castle. The second tea houseﾑKanden-Anﾑwas built in 1792. The approach
to Kanden-An is lovely. It goes through woods and bamboo groves, that
give a mood of silence and thoughtfulness.
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I have many friends who practice the tea ceremony, and it affects their
daily lives by making them more gentle and ladylike, or gentlemanly. Men
also practice it. In the United States, we used to do sewing and music
for the same reasons. Of course, there are also ladies who study Aikido,
Judo, and even Kendo. This doesn't make them ladylike, but it sure makes
them confident. Why not learn both tea and Kendo? Then you can be a strong
lady!
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