| | The March 25th was another day made us realize the mother nature could fool our modern science technology as the weather forecast kept changing until the last minute we left for the library in Rockland County. The weather also seemed scared away our long-waiting guests, and only 13 of the 20 reserved (and 10 on waiting list) had showed up. But it turned out to become very cozy and friendly atmosphere, helped with the library's small village-looking building, and we knew everyone was very relaxed and enjoyed our (short-cut) traditional Tea Ceremony. Because it was a small group , I was glad that everyone had opportunity to being served with tea in a Matcha bowl not in a paper cup. There was a plenty of time left so the guests asked us many questions about not only the Tea Ceremony but also our other culture. It was great to know people are very curious and eager to know us!
Our server today was Atsuko-san while narrated by Miyake-san. The sweets, both traditional and modern, were again homemade by Atsuko-san of Kitchen Atsuko, and one of them, a Matcha roll, was so delicately moist and it melted in your mouth. In the back, Honda-san and Yamato-san were serving guests sitting in the observer seat while I prepared tea in each bowls trying not to shake the Chasen like making scrambled eggs. After all, I was very afraid my hand wouldn't stop shaking for a day or so...
I'd like to thank all our volunteers who made effort in traveling such a long distance to accomplish another wonderful event. And I also thank Ms. Jill Gross, Head-Adult Services, as well as Tappan Library to give us the great opportunity to introduce our culture to the Rockland County community. I would like to mention that the event seemed have caught so much attention from their neighbors, and we are already receiving more inquiries from other organizations. I am very proud to say that more and more people are recognizing us, the MHJCA, and Japanese arts & culture thru our program. Thank you all.
Midori Shinye
Project Leader for Tappan Library Tea Demo | | 3月25日は改めて最新のﾃｸﾉﾛｼﾞｰでも天候ははっきりと予測出来ないことを知らされた日でした。ロックランドカｳﾝﾃｨｰにあるﾗｲﾌﾞﾗﾘｰに向かうｷﾞﾘｷﾞﾘの時間になるまで雪が降るかどうか分からなかったことと、どうやら同じ理由で20人の予約(と10名のｷｬﾝｾﾙ待ち)ゲストのうち実際お茶席に現れたのは13名だけでした。しかし図書館のｳﾞｨﾚｯｼﾞ風建物の雰囲気もヘルプしてなかなかこじんまりとしたフレンドリーなお茶席となりました。人数が少なかったおかげでゲスト全員に紙コップではなく抹茶茶碗でお茶を楽しんで頂けたことは本当に嬉しいことです。また、時間的な理由もあってﾄﾗﾃﾞｨｼｮﾅﾙなお手前を随分短縮したお茶席にしたので、残った時間でゲストの方々から茶道だけでなく他の日本カルチャーに関する質問等に答えることが出来て良かったと思います。
三宅さんがナレーターをする中今日のサーバーは篤子さん。洋風とﾄﾗﾃﾞｨｼｮﾅﾙな茶菓子はまたまたキッチンあつ子の篤子さんの手作りで、その中の抹茶ﾛｰﾙは口の中に入れると蕩けるようにしっとりとしたデリケートな作品です。裏方では本多さんと大和さんが後ろの席に座っている残りのゲストに茶菓子とお茶を配っている間私はひとつひとつお茶碗にお茶を用意しましたが、かき卵の様に茶せんを回さないでお茶を点てるのがなかなか大変で、おそらく数日は手の振るえがおさまらないのではないかと心配したものです(笑)。
改めて遠い距離にも拘わらずボランティアーをして頂いたメンバーの方々に心から感謝します。それから、ロックランドカｳﾝﾃｨｰコミュニティーに日本カルチャーを紹介出来るチャンスを下さったTappan図書館と担当者のジルさんに御礼を申し上げます。実は、同図書館でのイベントを見てすでに他からもﾌﾟﾛｸﾞﾗﾑの依頼が入ってきています。私達のﾌﾟﾛｸﾞﾗﾑを通じてより沢山の人達に日本芸術・文化を知って頂けることは本当に嬉しい限りです。
新江 緑
ﾌﾟﾛｼﾞｪｸﾄﾘｰﾀﾞｰ | |
