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Women’s tea ceremony
In the Sengoku period, the tea ceremony was considered an essential education for samurai and nobles. When Nobunaga noticed the tea ceremony during his visit to Kyoto, he implemented a policy called “Ochano Yugoseido” which essentially used the tea ceremony for political purposes and prohibited his retainers from holding tea ceremonies without permission. Nobunaga elevated the value of tea utensils to be on par with land by granting permission only to those with great achievements.
It is unclear whether the name “Ochano Yugoseido” was actually used, but Hideyoshi’s letter mentioned being allowed to participate in the tea ceremony for the first time, indicating that the tea ceremony was permission-based. It can also be inferred that Nobunaga put effort into branding and creating value for tea utensils by allowing those who had committed treason to present tea utensils as a form of forgiveness.
However, tea utensils were just objects to Nohime. For her, even if she was given good tea utensils, it wouldn’t make the tea taste better, and she found the formalities and stiffness of the tea ceremony suffocating.
“Men are so bothered by expensive tea utensils. As long as there is good tea and sweets, isn’t that enough? These formal procedures are unnecessary.”
Nohime’s tea ceremony was similar to Sakihisa (Konoe)’s sencha (steeped tea) style, and it was free-spirited. While the tea ceremony typically emphasizes unity from tea utensils to the host and guests, Nohime’s tea ceremony disregarded this unity. It was acceptable to leave the seat midway and enjoy tea sweets while chatting. If the tea ceremony is about enjoying elegance, Nohime’s tea ceremony was about enjoying the time spent drinking tea together.
Nohime’s tea ceremony was exclusive to women. The reason being that it was a place for “open conversation.” In Nohime’s tea ceremony, it was allowed to openly express accumulated grievances. Naturally, there was an obligation to keep the conversation confidential. If this obligation was not upheld, one could not participate in the tea ceremony. It was important to speak honestly but also to resolve matters within the tea ceremony.
Nohime’s tea ceremony may seem disorderly at first glance, but there were several strict rules. The obligation to keep conversations confidential was one, and the most important rule was that the tea and sweets had to be delicious. There was also a rule that the sweets should complement the tea.
Sweets were important. Good tea and sweets make conversations lively. Conversely, if the tea and sweets are not tasty, the conversation naturally becomes negative. It would be ideal to evoke a sense of seasonality, but that is aiming too high, so it is recommended to simply create a sense of seasonality.
“Today’s tea and sweets are delicious.”
“Today, we have prepared light tea and dry sweets.”
There are various types of Japanese sweets used as tea sweets, mainly categorized into “omogashi” (main sweets) made with sweet bean paste and “higashi” (dry sweets) made by mixing sugar and flour and then solidifying it with less moisture. The trick to distinguishing them is simple: the sweets with less moisture are higashi, and the ones with more moisture are omogashi. In relation to this, it is said that dark tea goes well with omogashi, and light tea goes well with higashi.
“Using rakugan to represent the seasons is quite charming.”
Nohime picks up a Japanese sweet placed on a plate.
Rakugan is made by mixing water syrup and sugar into dried rice flour, then shaping it with a mold and coloring it. After shaping it, it is baked or naturally dried. Although there are detailed steps, the overall process is simple. However, because it is simple, there is depth to it. The quality of the ingredients, the quality of the mold, the method and appearance of coloring, etc., test the skill and sense of the craftsman. The taste is not simply sweet. As the name suggests, it requires the quality to enjoy an elegant and refined sweetness.
“It’s a painting of a small bird perched on a camellia branch. Truly beautiful. It feels wasteful to eat it.”
“Enjoy with your eyes, enjoy the fragrance, and then enjoy the taste. It’s a pleasure that men cannot experience.”
“The tea ceremony can be too formal and troublesome.”
“Indeed. What value is there in something that cannot be enjoyed as entertainment? I think it is necessary for you, my lord, to have a form of entertainment that can help you relax, but it seems difficult for others to understand.”
While complaining about such things, Nohime and the others enjoy the tea ceremony. They drink tea, eat sweets, and chat. For them, the tea ceremony is not a tool for political strife but a form of entertainment.
“By the way, where is Shizuko?”
“She was called by Lord Oda and left her seat.”
“It is impolite of you, my lord, to take away my enjoyment.”
Shizuko was also invited to Nohime’s tea gathering, but when Nobunaga learned about it, he took the opportunity to call Shizuko. Whether she would be burdened with impossible tasks by Nobunaga or teased by Nohime, it was uncertain which would be better for Shizuko.
“However, it is thanks to Shizuko’s work that our entertainment has increased. If I think about it that way, I can endure not being here now, knowing that something interesting will happen later.”
“Indeed, indeed. It wouldn’t be the same in other countries.”
“Exactly. We cannot tolerate a world without entertainment. Sometimes, it is important to return to our childlike selves and play.”
While eating sweets, they chat and laugh. Even those who protect the household need a break from time to time. Thanks to Shizuko, they can now have appropriate breaks between work, allowing them to have more leisure in their daily lives and eventually leading to the enjoyment of tea gatherings like this.
“By the way, Shizuko made something called ‘ramen.'”
“I have heard of it. It is a noodle dish from Tang Dynasty (China). I am curious about its taste.”
“Apparently, there are already several shops in Shizuko’s town that serve ‘ramen.'”
“Is that so? Let’s have her make it sometime.”
Taking advantage of her absence, they freely discuss the matter. By the end of the conversation, it became a certainty among them that Shizuko would make ramen.
“Ah-choo!”
At the same time, Shizuko felt a chill down her spine and let out a big sneeze.