Hatsugama – The Year of the Snake

Sunday, February 10, 2013 began the Chinese New Year and marked the Year of the Snake.  Attributes associated with the snake are transformation, introspection, intelligence, cunning, moving quickly and striking fast.  This year calls for patience and wisdom in all things.  It is a year for being careful and cautious to unexpected changes and contemplating new ideas that will bring success and abundance in the future.

Tea student dressed in kimono enjoying festive decorations

Hatsugama translates to “first kettle” and is the first formal tea ceremony of the New Year and the biggest celebration of the tea year.  It takes place in a traditional Japanese setting or tea room.  This is a very special and unique event for both the teacher and student when the teacher acts as the host, preparing and serving tea for all of his or her students in a traditional ceremony.  Typically, students dress in customary kimono for this tea and the mood is festive.

Traditional tea room setting in Hatsugama style

The tokonoma or alcove of the tea room is beautifully adorned with decorative motifs of Sho-Chiku-Bai (pine, bamboo, plum).  Together this threesome represents promise and good fortune and brings in the ideals of longevity (pine), flexibility (bamboo) and pure spirit (plum).  Looped willow branches are also hung in the tokonoma to signify teacher and students coming together to renew their hopes for the coming year and their commitment to the practice of tea.  In ancient China, when one left on a journey, they were given a coiled willow branch as a prayer for their safe return.  The willow branches also hint at the promise of spring, and thus it became the custom to display coiled willow at this time of year.

Decorated tokonoma

Coiled willow branches

This year’s Hatsugama celebration at the Snowflake Tea Room in Stow, Ohio on Sunday, February 10 at 12:00 p.m. was attended by Sensei Myoshu Wren, eight of her students, family and friends.  These were people of all levels of tea experience and included senior students, guests who had not ever studied tea and even some old friends.  After admiring the display of utensils and articles in the tea room, students took their places on the tatami mats and were served thick matcha green tea by Sensei Myoshu.

Sensei Myoshu preparing tea

First bowl of matcha green tea

We sipped the lovely thick green tea out of beautiful gold chawans or tea bowls.  New Year’s greetings were expressed and gifts exchanged.  We then convened at Pad Thai in Hudson, Ohio for a festive New Year meal.

Displays at Pad Thai in celebration of the New Year

Ichigo, ichie means one moment, one chance.  Tea is all about being in the moment, having the experience, and making a memory to treasure out of each unique tea encounter.  A delightful, memorable time was had by all who attended this year’s Hatsugama observance.

Sensei Myoshu and students

Thanks to Sensei Myoshu and my tea sisters and brothers for all the planning and preparation that went into creating a lovely celebration.


Photo credit:
Sensei Myoshu Wren
Anne Kessing, tea student
Elaine Robinson, tea student