How a chaji is made.

We did a lot over the break between the end of last term and the start of this one. And one of the things we did was throw together a chaji for the departing Midorikaisei and teachers. Although we lost our chance to have an official Midorikai farewell chaji at Chado Kaikan, with official supervision, it seemed that this unofficial one would give us a chance to practice all the preparation and running with the teachers.  Then we were informed that the teachers all planned to come as guests.  Which was both flattering and terrifying, because it meant that we were trusted to be able to do it, but left just the 4 of us to run an entire event with fire, koicha, usucha, and tenshin (a meal) for 6 sempai and teachers-- the first event for us to be the organizers instead of guests, and the only time we would make tea for the sempai. 

Although we'd been trying to organize it for several weeks, we only got a location and date and guests confirmed that they could actually come 2 days in advance, so the whole thing had to come together pretty insanely rapidly.

And it was nice, I think it went well. There were wacky last minute changes and much running around, but in general I think we pulled it off.

So this is all very well and good. But what I mostly have pictures of is how a chaji is made. The backstage tour, as it were.  Which looks more like this:

Dinner the night before while we were still desperately preparing.

Collecting water from Daimonji.

Hi ire.

Assembling nimonowan

Damian used the cymbal from the electric drum set to be the gong for nakadachi

When our guests had left, Hamana sensei stayed and made tea for each of us. And one bowl tried to get away.

The things we used. After cleaning.

Leftovers and mizuya mimai, which of course we didn't have a second to touch until about 3 hours after the whole thing was over.

Tasuki -tied up sleeves for working time

The farewell

the aftermath

Second day leftovers and cleaning up

day after.