Tea ceremony schools and kitsuke for tea!

My two passions all rolled up into one!

I would love to see what people have worn to tea ceremony, or pictures of the tea ceremony itself. I would love to discuss the different types of Japanese tea ceremonies. I would also love to know what people would wear (kimono, of course!) to have high tea with the Queen of England. Because, naturally, you would have to wear something REALLY snazzy to meet the Queen, right? ^^

Share your thoughts!

Also, what do people think of the tea ceremonies performed by Maiko and Geiko in Kyoto? They are very different than those taught in traditional tea schools. I would love for an expert in Maiko and Geiko studies to tell me a little more about these special ceremonies and what all the pieces symbolize... is the candle functional, somehow? When did Geiko and Maiko start performing tea ceremony on stools, as opposed to the traditional chairless tea-room? Has anyone ever found a full video of the Gion Geiko tea ceremony? I would love to see it!

I don't have a lot of photos of me at tea but hear are the few that I have so far
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20362751@N00/sets/72157631439890216/


The reason for the western tea pot
http://ataatravelingteapot.blogspot.com/2012/08/homegrown-tea-ceremony.html

In honor of the winter season, I wore shibori to serve tea to my sensei in her tea room during Hatsu-okeiko.

My tea. I love that bowl.

There is my tea sensei in her beautiful ensemble.

For the beginning of August - the time when the Karyuukai has Hassaku - we had formal tea with our Urasenke instructor and thanked her for teaching us with gifts.  Here are some photos of that event (and what we wore).

    Konichiwa

Wonderful tea party in the outdoors Kimono-san of St Louis.     

Fabulous kitsuke from 3 River's Okiya.     

    I just saw a wonderful tea room for sale in NYC, which I plan to install in Koyume Ochaya in the garden chashitsu and also a portable room for the entertainment spaces     


Looks like everyone had a wonderful day      

      Komatsu-san  of Koyume Ochaya