Please Feel Free to Join Us: A Hanami Tea Gathering
kay- 4月13日
- 読了時間: 2分
更新日：4月17日
Once again, the cherry blossom season has arrived. As we did last year, we held a gathering with my tea companions in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park to enjoy lunch and tea beneath the cherry blossoms.
Although the blossoms had already passed their peak, the time spent together—sharing sweets and tea—was peaceful and truly enjoyable. Savoring a bowl of matcha in nature, while feeling the subtle changes of the season, is always something special.
Many tourists stopped to watch us, seemingly drawn to our kimono and the tea ceremony setting. Among them, we invited two visitors from Germany and Switzerland to join us. They told us how much they love matcha and that they even prepare it at home. Sitting together with them for tea turned into a warm and friendly moment.
Later on, a tour group happened to pass by, guided by one of my students who works as an interpreter. Although brief, we enjoyed a pleasant exchange with the group from the Netherlands. We took commemorative photos together, and they even gave us a charming gift—a keychain shaped like a little yellow wooden clog. I’ll treasure it as a lovely memory of this spring day.
Even though the cherry blossoms were no longer in full bloom, I was deeply touched by the connections and encounters that the sakura brought. Enjoying tea in the midst of nature is always a special delight. Once again this year, I am grateful for the chance to experience spring and to share such meaningful moments through the Way of Tea.
Next year, I’m even thinking of putting up a small sign that says, “Please feel free to join us.”
