Spilling the Beans
I have three posts half written, but I’m going to push all of them so I can post my semi-embarassing story.
As part of my desire to improve I’m pushing through some pain to sit in seiza, as a guest, for a full temae. I need and want to get up to being able to sit in seiza for a full four hours. I want to attend a traditional chaji eventually. The other day I make it through a full karamono temae and very gingerly stand up afterwards. Not bad! I’m feeling it, but I did it! For my temae I’m do chawan kazari, showing off a chawan I purchased on my favorite day in Japan and after visiting Daitokuji. I get everything ready to take the kensui out of the room. I did not realize that my right leg had fallen asleep until I tried to weight on it.
Whoops!
It solidly reinforced that why we turn away form the guests when carrying out the kensui. If not, I would have dumped a couple of cups of water and matcha all over my sensei and a senior student. I would have them solidly burst into flames from embarrassment.