A Hint of Spring in the Tea Room – A Bowl of Tea for Risshun
Risshun marks a turning point in the year, signaling the beginning of spring according to the traditional calendar. Though the chill of winter still lingers, the sunlight grows gentler, and the breeze carries a faint hint of spring. In the world of tea, Risshun is not merely a seasonal transition but a significant moment that heralds a fresh start.
The Connection Between Risshun and the Way of Tea
Tea ceremony deeply values the twenty-four solar terms and seasonal customs, reflecting them in the setting of the tea room. Risshun, corresponding to the Lunar New Year, holds special significance in the tea tradition. It marks the shift from winter tea gatherings to those imbued with the spirit of spring, bringing subtle yet meaningful changes to the tea room and utensils.
The alcove often features calligraphy conveying auspiciousness or scrolls depicting the arrival of spring. Tea utensils, too, reflect the seasonal shift—evoking the remnants of winter while embracing the joy of spring’s approach.
Tea Utensils and Themes Befitting Risshun
A tea gathering for Risshun may incorporate the following elements:
•Tea Bowl: Glazed in soft blue hues reminiscent of melting snow or with patterns evoking the delicate mist of early spring.
•Natsume & Tea Container: Designs featuring flowers like adonis, dandelion, and bracken fern, symbolizing resilience and the vitality of new life after the harsh winter.
•Seasonal Sweets: “Risshun Daifuku,” plum-shaped confections, or sweets infused with mugwort and butterbur sprouts, all capturing the essence of early spring.
•Flowers: Camellias, narcissus, or sprouting wildflowers bring the fresh breath of the new season into the tea room.
During this time, the phrase “Risshun Daikichi” is sometimes exchanged, a traditional blessing also written on protective charms placed at doorways on this day. It carries the wish for a year of good health and fortune. In the tea room, savoring a bowl of tea while embracing this sentiment is one of the joys unique to Risshun.
The way of tea brings seasonal beauty into everyday life. Rather than simply following form, why not welcome the breath of early spring with a quiet bowl of tea, fully embracing the essence of Risshun?