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A series of recordings and commentary made by New Zealand J Force broadcaster Ulric Williams, at a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Williams was invited to the ceremony in Yuda, by Mr Nakamura-san who gives explanations in English through the ceremony. Ulric Williams is accompanied by two New Zealanders serving with J Force, Joe Casey of Herne Bay, Auckland and Allan Reid of Beckenham, Christchurch. They also comment occasionally.
Williams explains the tea ceremony is an old Japanese tradition performed by a woman in a small room. The guests sit on flat cushions on the floor covered with woven tatami mats. The spotlessly clean room has no furniture and few ornaments.
In the centre of the room there is a hole with a charcoal fire. On this is a pot with water boiling for the tea. A floral arrangment sits in an alcove or tokonoma. The daughter of the house, Ikoku-san, arrives with a bowl of cake. She places the tea in front of the men and offers the cake. Her kimono and the traditional pottery tea-making equipment are described. Ikoku-san also makes several remarks in English.
Green tea or matcha kept in a special lacquer box is used for ceremonial occasions. The process of making the matcha is explained.
The tea bowl is offered to Joe with a bow. He is instructed to drink it in three and a half sips. After Joe has finished, the bowl is washed and wiped before being offered to Allan, then to Nakamura-san.
This recording is one of a series made by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service unit stationed with J Force troops in Japan, 1946-1948. The recordings were sent back for playing on radio in New Zealand as part of the series 'With the Kiwis in Japan.'