The Hatsugama (First Tea Ceremony) was held in the tearoom (Yushin) at the Kissakoan

On January 12 (Sun.), students practicing the tea ceremony gathered in the tearoom “Yushin” of the Kissakoan to celebrate the New Year. After had the traditional “Zenzai” (sweet red bean soup), everyone moved to the tearoom to eat “Hanabira Mochi” (flower petals rice cakes), and then I served Koicha (thick tea) in two red Raku tea bowls “Shimadai Chawan” painted gold and silver inside, which all the students drank around and We all celebrated the New Year together and pledged to practice hard this year too. After the ceremony, all the students practiced their favorite Otemae (tea ceremony) for the first time.