Sado's work "Wara-bai"

October is the last month of the season of Furo in Sado's season.
We often have the party of tea celemony called "Nagori no Chaji" in this season.
This tea celemony is haved with being reluctant to part from the season of Furo.

This picture is Furo with Wara-bai.
Wara-bai is charcoal made from rice straws.
We can use Wara-bai in only this season because the octorber is the season of harvesting rice in Japan.
We; the people who enjoy sado think that the sense of the seasons is most important in tea celemony.
Anyway, it takes long time and effort to make Wara-bai.
First wash rice straws by salt water, and dry these in the full sunlight for about 2 or 3 days.
And then cut these straws about 25cm long.
And roast these straws in a pan with the lid till finishing to give out smoke.
When the straws change to charcoal and cool down, choose straight ones because some of roasted straws are bend.
And line the Wara-bai on ashes in Furo like picture shows.

Chuushuu no Meigetsu ~the full moon of autumn~

Today, I had Sado lesson first time in Oct.
Kakejiku says "Chouan ippen no tsuki". This saying is half part of the Zengo word "Chouan ippen no tsuki, Banko koromo wo ushu koe". This word was written by Rihaku in Chaina.The meaning is that "I basked the moon light in Chouan, and I can hear the sound of robe".
And the flowers for Tokonoma are susuki, cosmos, Hototogisu and Dangiku.
This assortment is becoming the decoration for Oct. Because early part in Oct. is the best season for seein moon.

Oct. 7th is the day of "Chuushuu no Meigetsu". The day is changed every year because the day is fixed on the day of full moon from later part of Sep. to early part in Oct.
We, most Japanese are looking forward to seeing the full moon on this day every year.
We decorate Susuki and eat "Tsukimi-Dango: like Mochi, small and sweet".

And in Nara, The Uneme festibal is hold near Sarusawa pond in Nara park on the day of "Chuushuu no Meigetsu"every year.