Art Creation Theory 21 "the first tea ceremony of the New Year"
When we think of the tea ceremony, many people will imagine a scene in which one immerses oneself in a quiet tea room, savoring the beauty of wabi-sabi and the aroma of matcha. However, when the new year begins, there is an event that brings a particularly festive atmosphere to the tea room. This is "Hatsugama". In this article, we would like to unravel the appeal of "Hatsugama", a special tea ceremony that marks the beginning of the tea ceremony year.
Chapter 1: What is the first tea ceremony of the New Year?
the first tea ceremony of the New Year is a tea ceremony event that originated from lighting the fire in the kettle for the first time in the new year. It is like the beginning of lessons or a new year's party, and is an important opportunity to celebrate the start of a new year. In old records, the word "Hatsuburo" (first bath) can be found on New Year's Day in 1565 (Eiroku 8), and at that time it was called "Hatsuchayu" (first tea ceremony) or "Hatsukai" (first meeting). The current name "Hatsugama" is said to have been established after the 1890s, and one of its characteristics is that tea is made using pure water called "wakamizu" that is drawn in the new year. In many tea houses and tea ceremony classrooms, Hatsugama is held from New Year to mid-January. Many people will participate in Hatsugama dressed in more gorgeous attire than usual, such as furisode, plain iro-muji, or formal kimono, with the feeling of starting a new year. The greatest charm of Hatsugama is that you can fully experience the world of tea ceremony and feel the solemn yet festive atmosphere of a banquet - this is the greatest charm of Hatsugama.
Chapter 2: The Wabi-Sabi of the Teahouse and the Space for the Hatsugama Tea Ceremony
At first glance, the tea room appears simple and empty, but behind it lies a special space with a profound spirit of wabi-sabi. The texture of the clay walls, the wooden pillars, the subdued light... the elements of the "celebratory" New Year that are welcomed in such tranquil beauty are present in the Hatsugama ceremony. For example, auspicious hanging scrolls appropriate for the New Year are displayed in the tokonoma alcove, and young pine and camellia flowers are arranged to make them stand out even more - the arrangements are more likely to evoke the theme of "New Year" than in an ordinary tea ceremony. It is precisely because a little "festiveness" is added to the wabi-sabi space that Hatsugama has a special charm that is different from everyday tea ceremonies. This is an exquisite balance that can be said to be created by the "spirit of hospitality" inherent to the tea ceremony, which respects simplicity while not eliminating the gaiety of celebrating the New Year.
Chapter 3: Hatsugama and the Combination of Utensils
One of the highlights of the Hatsugama ceremony is the selection of tea utensils that color the beginning of the year. Last time, we mentioned the aesthetic sense of the utensils, such as the rimmed bowl for serving the main sweets and the confectionery bowl, but for Hatsugama, even more luxurious and auspicious utensils are chosen, and tea bowls with New Year-like designs are used.
Kettle
The kettle, which is the first to be lit in the new year, is the central presence at the tea ceremony. Many of them have auspicious meanings such as "pine tree," "crane," or "longevity" in their shapes and inscriptions, and often represent New Year's celebrations.
Hanabiramochi and Tokiwamanju
In the Omotesenke school, "Tokiwa Manju" and in the Urasenke school, "Hanabiramochi" are standard sweets for the first tea ceremony of the year. The contrast between white and pale red creates a New Year atmosphere and adds color to the tea ceremony.
Kaishi and Fukusa
Sometimes New Year's patterns and zodiac designs are used, so even small items have a New Year's feel to them.
The combination of utensils is not merely decorative in the tea ceremony, but an important element in further enhancing the wabi-sabi atmosphere. The gorgeous combination that is unique to the Hatsugama ceremony could be called the most magnificent "feast of utensils" of the year.
Chapter 4: The joys of Hatsugama reflecting the four seasons
A teahouse is a place where you can embrace the changes of the seasons and deeply appreciate their charms. The Hatsugama ceremony takes place in the middle of winter, but there is a mysterious warmth to the New Year's tea ceremony. One of the reasons for this is the cheerfulness of the New Year. For example, by incorporating winter-themed hanging scrolls, flowers, and auspicious motifs throughout the room, a unique atmosphere that "feels festive even in the cold" is created.
The seasonal feel is also reflected in the following aspects of Hatsugama:
Drawing fresh water
It is said that using water drawn early in the morning on New Year's Day will ward off evil spirits for the year.
Main sweets and dried sweets
Hanabiramochi and Tokiwamanju, traditional New Year treats, create a lovely New Year atmosphere.
Although the tea garden (roji) is set against the backdrop of a withered winter landscape, there is a sense of warmth when you step inside the teahouse. This subtle atmosphere is perhaps the true joy of the Hatsugama ceremony held in winter.
Chapter 5: Hatsugama creates space and hospitality
Hatsugama is not just an event where tea is made to celebrate the New Year.
In the previous article, we touched on the "time it takes for the main sweets to be prepared," but the flow and presentation of the entire tea ceremony also plays a major role in the Hatsugama ceremony.
Flow of the noon tea ceremony
After enjoying the kaiseki cuisine, sake, and main sweets, there is a brief pause before the guest sits down to enjoy thick tea and then thin tea in the after-seat position - this series of actions creates a special moment of "ma" (pause).
Celebrations and attire
By exchanging congratulatory gifts and wearing bright kimonos and suits, you can share a different sense of tension and celebration than you would at a regular tea ceremony. As a guest, you can also enjoy a more fulfilling time by taking your seat with renewed spirit.
The perfect harmony of this space and hospitality is the essence of Hatsugama. The combination of the festive atmosphere of the New Year and the serenity of the tea ceremony creates a profound emotion that goes beyond a simple ritual.
summary
Hatsugama, held at the beginning of the new year, is a special tea ceremony that is filled with the wabi-sabi of the tea room, the spirituality of the tea ceremony, and the celebratory mood unique to the New Year. The combination of young water, New Year's utensils, and seasonal Japanese sweets - each and every one of these elements allows us to experience a luxurious "spatial art" that can only be enjoyed once a year. When you hear the word "Hatsugama," you may feel a little intimidated. However, if you enter the world of tea ceremony, you will find it filled with the gaiety of the New Year and the spirit of "hospitality" that cares for each other. If you have the opportunity, please visit a Hatsugama tea ceremony and experience the exquisite combination of the sound of the water, the silence of the tea ceremony, and the sweet main sweets and kaiseki cuisine with your whole body. You will surely experience an irreplaceable time where the profound depth of wabi-sabi blends with the bright joy of the New Year.
Hatsugama (first tea ceremony of the year)
This is the first tea ceremony in the new year to light the fire in the kettle. The name "Hatsugama" became established in the 1890s. It is common to use "wakamizu" drawn on New Year's Day, and tokiwa manju and other traditional New Year sweets are served. As a midday tea ceremony, kaiseki cuisine, sake, thick tea and thin tea are served. Dress code is more formal than usual, such as a long-sleeved kimono, a formal formal kimono, or a plain colored kimono with a family crest. A gift of money may be prepared, and other necessary items include a kaishi (a paper wrapping paper), a confectionery cutter, and spare tabi socks.
Flow of a tea ceremony (example of a noon tea ceremony)
Take your seat → Greeting → See the charcoal
Kaiseki cuisine and alcohol
Main sweets
Standing (break)
Atoza → Koicha → Usucha
New Year's tools and sweets
Brewing tea using fresh water
Tokiwa Manju from Omotesenke and Hanabira Mochi from Urasenke
New Year's hanging scrolls and gorgeous tea ceremony utensils
Dress Code and Manners
When it comes to traditional Japanese clothing, unmarried women tend to wear furisode, while married women tend to wear plain-colored kimonos or homongi.
Western clothing is fine as long as it is a simple and elegant dress or suit.
Tabi and socks should preferably be white.
Bring a gift of money, a kaishi (paper towel), a toothpick for sweets, and a large handkerchief
The special turning point of the New Year is the "Hatsugama" ceremony, which combines the unique New Year's atmosphere with the wabi-sabi of the tea ceremony. On this once-a-year opportunity, why not enjoy the luxury of slowly savoring a bowl of tea in silence and the seasonal sweets that accompany it?