Tsuramai Park Tea Ceremonies

Ah…spring….blossoms, fresh air, sunlight and….tea ceremonies. It’s a special time in the Japanese yearly cycle of festivals and one that should not be missed.
Once again we found ourselves at Tsuramai Park, though this time the skies were merely cloudy rather than smoggy. Though the rain fell all night long, the day proved to be dry.
Scattered throughout the park were large tents (just in case the rain returned). Inside benches, platforms and other props for preparing tea were set up. Each included a small area that was elegantly decorated; it might be a simple flower arrangement or a bit of landscape, taking in, of course, the natural setting of the park. The irises were in bloom, or at least a good number of them were, so many of the items incorporated irises as the theme for the day.