The last hydrangeas and summer purification rituals
The rainy season comes to an end in late June. The vibrant colors of hydrangeas begin to fade with each passing day. The blue and crimson petals become duller, and eventually they take on the texture of dry paper. However, their appearance retains the charm that only flowers past their peak can have, and the passage of time quietly seeps into them.
A single hydrangea, one of the last remaining flowers, is placed on the tokonoma alcove. Arranging it in a bamboo basket vase, with the flower slightly bowed, completely changes the atmosphere of the tea room. It may not be flashy, but it exudes a quiet beauty, adding a deep lingering feeling and serenity to your tea time.
On the last day of June, an ancient Shinto ritual called "Nagoshi no Harae" is held. Passing through a straw circle, people are purified of the impurities of the past six months and pray for good health and safety for the remaining six months. This is a well-honored seasonal custom that has been cherished by the Japanese since ancient times.
One of the Japanese sweets eaten on this day is Minazuki, a triangular uriwara cake topped with red beans. The triangular shape represents ice, and red beans are said to have the power to ward off evil spirits. In the past, when ice was a precious commodity, people ate Minazuki instead of ice in the hope of warding off the heat. The moist texture of the uriwara cake and the gentle sweetness of the red beans make for a refreshing taste. When you put it in your mouth, a subtle coolness rises in the humidity of the rainy season.
