I got a wonderful opportunity to introduce "Cha-no-yu" Japanese Tea Ceremony to local people at REVOLOGY Concept Store and Tea House in Wanaka town. I write the drama (strenuous efforts) here, with thanking to Monique and Revology team, the participants, my husband and friends who helped me on the nights.
Firstly I was surprised at the news that it was booked out quickly for the scheduled date of the 11th of March, and knew that some people were on the waiting list. In "Cha-no-yu" offering hospitality that is enough for each one, it's usually held with a small number of people, so I shouldn't take more than 10. Then we decided to do again on the 17th. Wonderful problem!!!
My next hurdle was about the confectionery. I would like that guests can have an experience to use traditional Kuromoji pick and Kaishi paper to eat it, instead of using fork or fingers on a plate. So the confectionery should be soft enough to be cut by the pick, and easy enough to eat on the paper holding on their palm. It must be Jo-nama-gashi style! But I couldn't find the ingredients which was used in Japan. I tried the things which seemed to become the replacement many times.
March 11 (3月11日) ******************************************* Starting with MOKUTO (a minute of silence - remembrance) for the 10th year of big disaster TOHOKU earth quake and Tsunami in Japan. We thought about Japan with our heart from New Zealand.
東北の震災から10年の日、お集まりいただいた皆さんと最初に黙祷にてお祈りを。 茶の湯の歴史や習慣・抹茶のこと・お菓子のこと・道具の説明などしながら、 お一人ずつお茶を点てて味わっていただきました。 心つなぐ、ニュージーランドから日本を想う、そんな日になりました。 この日のお菓子はきんとんで、 名は 『心待ち』 と名づけてみました We are sharing the scene half and half on the confectionery that waiting for SAKURA blooming in Japan and waiting for the harvest of grapes in New Zealand もうすぐですね、日本の桜の開花も、NZのブドウの収穫も。 両方の心待ちを半分ずつ 味わいました。 紫の錦玉寒、ブドウに見えるかしら？
Thank you for participating, hoping you all enjoyed it.
March 17 (3月17日） ******************************************** Second workshop day, What as a motif to make the confectionery for the day? It's St. Patrick's Day...
煉りきり、中はこしあんです I made this. Can you see as shamrock? Cha-no-yu is traditional Japanese culture, but it has generosity to take other customs in the world in it. A little Irish symbol was on the table, which was for the day.
Kia ora！ For the purpose of a fund raising in aid of Wanaka fire brigade, my husband and I had an opportunity in charge of cooking at the event of the Japanese dinner which local couple of John and Penny Wilson hosted. 地元の消防関連のファンドレイジング（資金調達）の目的で、知人が主催した日本食 ディナーのイベントで、料理を担当する機会をいただきました。
"Shall I make the Matcha-tea of ceremony style for each guest at the end?" I suggested it when we talked about the menu. Then John showed us the amazing traditional Japanese furniture of HIBACHI table. I was so excited! メニューを決める段階で、「最後にお茶を点てましょうか」と提案してみたら、 「それは良い！」と賛成していただき、「HIBACHI があるから」って。 HIBACHI？ なんと奥のリビングに火鉢（囲炉裏テーブル）が！ 日本から持ち帰ったそうです・・・ わあ～ここでやったら素敵、うちの鉄釜がちょうど入りそうだし・・・ それなら着物を着よう。 頭の中でイメージが膨らんでいきました。
Busy but very happy to do the preparations for arrangement of plates & bowls, table setting, food preps, thinking about Kimono coordination, preparation and rehearsal of the Tea Ceremony, etc, etc... 当日（12月1日）に向けて、食材と飲物の手配、使う食器類、テーブルセッティング、 茶道の説明（夫に頼むことにしたので、まずは夫に茶道の説明）、お点前の練習、 着付けの練習、料理の仕込みなど、準備に明け暮れた毎日でした。
******************************** On the day ************************************
Here is one of the Japanese style scene of the "Ikebana" Japanese traditional flower arrangement by Penny, on the furniture.
I wore the Kimono which was taken over from my aunt. I chose "Nagoya-obi" the belt of mint green color (that we can image the season of fresh green). It was nice combination with the dark color of Kimono.
Wearing kimono, feeling was so elegant. But I knew I should be super busy in the kitchen, so the "Kappo-gi" special coverall apron was a necessity.
Each guest was dressed up, someone wore with something Japanese style, seemed to enjoy the special night. And, ｗe found a KABUKI-man there! お客様はジャパニーズナイトを楽しもうと、思い思いに日本らしさをアピールしながら ドレスアップされていました。 その中に 『カブキ・マンがいる』って聞いて・・・何？ 調理場から覗いたら・・・ 派手なフェイスペイントが見えました。 うわ～ホントだ、カブいてる～！
************************************************************************************ In the kitchen : 作った料理は次々とテーブルへ運ばれていきました。
AMUSE BOUCHES TRAY ～ a garden scene of early summer ～ アミューズ・ブシュ（前菜）、初夏のガーデンをイメージしてアレンジ
It should be brilliant that the fragrance of "Hinoki" wood from the square sake-cup, which was well combined with the flavorful sake ice cream.
デザート： 酒粕アイスクリームと ハニーマリネード・フレッシュベリー
枡のヒノキの香りと、酒風味たっぷりのアイスが、素敵なハーモニーを醸しだしている！
Tasting of Junmai-dai-ginjo from Bruno's SAKE selection
テーブルでは宴たけなわ、かなり盛り上がっています。 料理を出し終えて、ここで一息。
********************************************************************************* While the dining was in full swing, I started the preparation of the Way of Tea (Tea Ceremony) at the living area.
The selection of Matcha: I used the one in the white container which had a mild bitterness yet deep flavor.
Originally the "Way of Tea" was a mental training/meditation of Samurai boys. This ceremony style was established in the civil war era. They appreciated such a precious moment of being together in that time they didn't know their life on the next day. Samurai were not allowed to put their sword on which was important next to their life, to enter the ceremony room. The place was that anyone returns to just a human in the time of severe class system. 一生に一度の今日の出会いと時間。 今の茶道スタイルが確立されたのは戦国時代。 明日をも知れない我が身・世の中で、今こうして席を共にする相手とのかけがえのないひと時を思い、味わうこと。 侍は命の次に大切な刀を外さなければ入ることのできない神聖な茶室。 厳しい身分制度の中で、誰もが一人の人間に戻る場所。 ・・・という内容を、夫に頼んで解説してもらいました。
一心不乱に茶筅を振り、十碗のお茶がほぼ終わったときに気づいた・・・ あ、撮影お願いするの忘れてた～
The man who listened to the story beside me, got off the sofa, took off the shoes, and tried to sit on the floor like Japanese way. That moved my heart! 私の隣で熱心に話しを聴いていた男性が、ソファーを降り、靴を脱いで正座しようとして いました。（外人は正座できない人がほとんどなのですが） その姿にこちらの心が動き、カメラを渡して撮ってもらいました。
He was the KABUKI-man! With this cool KABUKI make-up, he should enjoy the special night very well. Though I want to give thanks when I can see him again in town, I can't recognize his face
ワクワク感いっぱい、
煉りきり、中はこしあんです
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Here is one of the Japanese style 
いよいよお茶ね。 
I wrote the theme Ichi-go Ichi-e 
He was the KABUKI-man!
