The Urasenke head family’s Hatsugama-shiki celebratory first tea gathering of 2024―a kinoe tatsu yang-oriented wood dragon year according to the sexagenary calendar cycle―began on Sunday January 7 at Konnichian.

The scroll that hung in the alcove of the main room, the Chōfū-no-ma within the Heisei Chashitsu, was Genpaku Sōtan’s「龍虎」 (Dragon, Tiger) calligraphy. On the alcove post hung Senso’s copy of Rikyū’s “Hashi-no-bō” double-window bamboo flower container, which held an Akebono (dawn) camellia and sprig of honeysuckle variety called Uguisukagura, meaning “warbler Shintō music and dancing.” Looped willow branches hung from a green bamboo container. On the floor of the alcove, there was a Kasuga-dai stand which held a Shintō bell instrument having long ribbon streamers. At the room area where the koicha tea would be prepared, there was the tenchaban tea-making table that would be used, and on it was a set of kaigu matching implements designed by Iemoto Zabōsai.

Once the guests had taken their seats, Iemoto SEN Sōshitsu (Zabōsai) and Daisōshō SEN Genshitsu entered and expressed their New Year’s greetings, and the guests were served Hishihanabira, Urasenke’s conventional New Year’s confection that was favored by Gengensai. For the very first seating, the guests were Omotesenke Iemoto SEN Sōsa, Mushakōjisenke Iemoto SEN Sōshu, Kyoto Governor NISHIWAKI Takatoshi, Kyoto Mayor KADOKAWA Daisaku, Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner TOKURA Shun’ichi, Urasenke rōbun (Elders), and others. Once the confections were served, Iemoto sat at the tenchaban and prepared koicha for the first guest in the kakufuku-date (individual helping koicha preparation) manner, and Iemoto’s nephew IZUMI Sōyō conveyed it to the first guest.

Following the koicha service, KONGO Hisanori of the Kongo noh tradition performed the celebratory noh chant, “Shikainami” (Waves of the Four Seas), which lyrics celebrate the subsiding of the waves and winds surrounding the nation, and the coming of the nation’s peace. The room was filled with a solemn yet celebratory atmosphere.

　

At the Kangetsu-no-ma room on the 2^nd floor of the Heisei Chashitsu, the guests were entertained with usucha by Wakasōshō SEN Sōshi, Iemoto’s wife SEN Masako, Iemoto’s sister-in-law IZUMI Hiromi, and Iemoto’s nephew IZUMI Sōrei. The decorations and various items used here were themed on the celebration of the New Year and this year’s animal, the dragon.

　

Over the 6 days of the Konnichian Hatsugama-shiki in Kyoto, which ends on January 12, the guests, who mainly are Urasenke chadō followers from Western Japan, are expected to number approximately 2,200. At the Urasenke Tokyo Dōjō, the head family will host its Hatsugama-shiki for Urasenke chadō followers and others from Eastern Japan. That will take place over the 4 days of January 16–19, and approximately 1,700 are expected to participate.

A donation box has been established at both Hatsugama-shiki venues, to collect relief money for victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. After the completion of the Hatsugama-shiki at both venues, Urasenke will send the collected donations to places struck by the disaster.