On April 4th, when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom in Tokyo and the weather cleared after the previous day's rain, we were fortunate to host an event titled "Incense and Japanese Tea Experience". Participants included an American couple from the West Coast who were visiting Japan for the first time, as well as individuals rejoining a tea gathering after a long hiatus. In addition to chanoyu, a friend kindly provided an incense experience, enriching the event with her presence.

Among the five senses, smell is said to be the most closely linked to memory and emotion. Engaging in a game where participants had to identify different scents of incense in the tranquil atmosphere proved to be quite engaging. As many attendees were experiencing incense for the first time, they received a brief lesson in etiquette before immersing themselves in the aroma. Explanations about the history of incense culture and tales of legendary incense added further depth to the experience.

The hanging scroll in the tearoom depicted "Sakura in the Rain" painted by the Kyoto artist Kono Bairei during the Meiji period.

The American couple were delighted to notice the depiction of the Togetsukyo Bridge, evoking memories of their visit to Kyoto with their family the previous week. As they sipped matcha tea from a pale blue tea bowl adorned with a red torii gate I had found at a souvenir shop in Miyajima, Hiroshima, the couple immediately recognized it and expressed joy at the reminder of their recent visit to Itsukushima Shrine.

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