Preparing the brazier and taking a break in early summer - the start of the season in the tea room

In the tea ceremony, there is a major division that divides the year into two seasons.
These are the "ro" and "furo."

From November to April, a hearth cut into the tatami mats is used to create a warm atmosphere in the tea room that is suitable for the cold season.
And then, May.
When the new green leaves are dazzling and the air begins to move gently, the furnishings of the tea room change and the furo season arrives.

A brazier is one of the summer attires.
The fire is now slightly away from the center of the tea room and the kettle is positioned higher, giving the overall impression of being airy and clean.
Measures are taken everywhere to reduce the presence of flames and create a cool feeling.

At ZenLab's Suzakuken, we also start preparing the brazier every year at this time.
Add fresh ash, check the height of the trivet, and hang up the brazier kettle, and you're ready for the tea ceremony.
As the fire is switched from ro to furo, the atmosphere is filled with a dignified tension and freshness, as if a season has been transcended.

The hatsuburo marks the beginning of summer in the tea ceremony.
The November hearth opening ceremony marks the beginning of the new year, also known as the "New Year of Tea."
The opening of the furo stove is a time to prepare yourself for a new smoking experience, with the right tools and the right mindset for the refreshing season.

The items selected for the hatsuburo, from hanging scrolls and tea bowls to sweets, are ones that reflect the pure breeze.
A basket with a cool and light impression goes well with a flower vase.
The early summer wildflowers are arranged in a soft arrangement, as if wrapped in the breeze, adding a seasonal glow to the tea room.

The procedure for the tea ceremony is also slightly different from that for the furnace.
The position of the seat, how to use the ladle, the position of the lid of the brazier kettle, etc.
Every time you notice a small change, your movements naturally become more refined and each one feels fresh.

In this way, the tea ceremony quietly but surely changes with the seasons.
This is not simply a difference in form, but a careful approach that involves living in harmony with nature and reflecting its atmosphere in the tools and movements used.

Once again, the furo season has come around in the ZenLab tea room.
The ashes are arranged, the kettle is turned on, and the steam rises quietly.
We will enjoy the food carefully together with all of you who come.