Hello everyone! The rainy season is upon us. This time of year can be very humid and uncomfortable, but there are some ways to stay fresh using the wisdom of the tea ceremony. Today, I'd like to share some ideas with you.
1. Incorporate seasonal flowers
The rainy season is the season when hydrangeas and Japanese irises bloom beautifully. Simply decorating your room with these flowers will give you a visually refreshing feeling. The vibrant blue of hydrangeas in particular will calm your mind just by looking at them.
2. Enjoy a refreshing drink of thin tea
At this time of year, we recommend making thin tea (usucha). Usucha is lighter than thick tea and has a refreshing taste. Enjoying it with cold Japanese sweets or fruit will also cool your mouth. It's also great to enjoy it with friends and family.
3. Keep the room well ventilated
During humid seasons, it is important to keep the room well ventilated. Opening shoji and fusuma screens to let in air creates airflow and prevents humidity from building up. Using bamboo blinds can help block the sunlight while improving ventilation.
4. Refresh with fragrance
Fragrance is an important element in the tea ceremony. During the rainy season, use incense woods and scented sachets with refreshing scents to refresh the air in your tea room. The scents of cypress and sandalwood will lighten the air that has become heavy with humidity. Try to find a scent that you like.
5. Use simple and beautiful tea utensils
During this season, it's best to use simple, cool-looking tableware. Thin tea bowls and glassware look cool and refreshing, creating a visually refreshing feeling. Also, using a bamboo tea scoop or flower vase will bring in the coolness of nature. Enjoy the beauty of simplicity.
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Why not incorporate these ideas into your daily life and spend the rainy season in comfort and peace? Find ways to enjoy this season while cherishing the spirit of the tea ceremony, "Wakeiseijaku (harmony, respect, purity, tranquility)."
