A lovely episode, beautifully drawn - I love the tiger's expressions, and your ornaments, very intricate. I did learn something! I knew about ceramics cracking with heat - I did chemistry to A level - but I'd never linked that with the life of one's china. Suppose because I always use mugs, which are much more resistant. But now I think this must have something in part to do with the length of tea ceremonies, particularly since they use very fine china.
Hehehe lapping from the cup and not the saucer? How refined!
"Suppose because I always use mugs, which are much more resistant." It probably does effect the heavy coffee mugs to some small extent, but it wouldn't be as obvious as it is on a delicate eggshell-thin teacup.
"But now I think this must have something in part to do with the length of tea ceremonies, particularly since they use very fine china." When I first heard of this, I wondered the same thing. It would certainly make sense if tea ceremonies included this gesture... especially since they already include everything else you could possibly imagine needing to do with a cup of tea.
The Japanese tea ceremony even says that you should turn the one decorated side of the cup away from you, so that it faces the person who you're drinking with, so they can see it and you can't. The book told the name of that part of the ritual, as well as its symbolism. I can't remember much else about the ceremonies from when I read about them a few years ago. I do remember thinking: "Wow, this is way more elaborate than I can imagine trying to add to my lifestyle." The tea ceremony is said to be a relaxing escape from a fast-paced day, but if you're approaching it as a foreigner with a lot to learn, it's overwhelming.
The tea ceremonies are fascinating, I don't know much about them but they do seem very meditative and calming. I appreciate ritual in relation to food, such as aesthetic appearance, proper setting etc. It all adds to the food/drink.
Interesting that they say you should show the other person your lovely cup, I actually do that myself. You can't see it anyway if you're constantly raising it to your own mouth, but if you drink in a group, you can see everyone else's!
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Date: 2006-04-02 09:43 pm (UTC)Hehehe lapping from the cup and not the saucer? How refined!
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Date: 2006-04-03 05:18 am (UTC)"Suppose because I always use mugs, which are much more resistant."
It probably does effect the heavy coffee mugs to some small extent, but it wouldn't be as obvious as it is on a delicate eggshell-thin teacup.
"But now I think this must have something in part to do with the length of tea ceremonies, particularly since they use very fine china."
When I first heard of this, I wondered the same thing. It would certainly make sense if tea ceremonies included this gesture... especially since they already include everything else you could possibly imagine needing to do with a cup of tea.
The Japanese tea ceremony even says that you should turn the one decorated side of the cup away from you, so that it faces the person who you're drinking with, so they can see it and you can't. The book told the name of that part of the ritual, as well as its symbolism. I can't remember much else about the ceremonies from when I read about them a few years ago. I do remember thinking: "Wow, this is way more elaborate than I can imagine trying to add to my lifestyle." The tea ceremony is said to be a relaxing escape from a fast-paced day, but if you're approaching it as a foreigner with a lot to learn, it's overwhelming.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-04 05:25 am (UTC)Interesting that they say you should show the other person your lovely cup, I actually do that myself. You can't see it anyway if you're constantly raising it to your own mouth, but if you drink in a group, you can see everyone else's!