The room I was attended was the black (water) room.

It was arranged so beautifully.

There were various kind of "black", stand out in the subtle soft light coming through the Shoji障子 paper of the sliding door ー glossy texture of the lacquer, mat black of the wood or pottery, shades of Sumi墨ink, Raden螺鈿 (mother-of-pearl work) glittering modestly...

The shades of the green maple leaves or Shoji were reflected on water filled in a lacquer tray.

Black (water) in five elements expresses winter or north. It might remind of the darkness or the extreme yin, but I don't have a bad impression of the extreme yin, because you can only look forward to the coming yang, having more the light. There is a gentle hope and expectation.

It's said that

＊The space where yin and yang cross and five elements are in order, nature, people, things and matters make a good harmony.

＊There is stillness in motion, and there is motion in stillness.

＊Yin reaches the extreme then becomes yang, and yang becomes yin by reaching the extreme.

Months and days goes by, seasons rotate, everything changes and circulates... but there is an established rule in each change. The rule is very clear and simple.

The rule which harmonizes with the nature or universe, found by ancient people has been told In our life or tea culture.

茶会 Tea Gathering

The 63rd National Sencha-do Tea Gathering 全国煎茶道大会