Ichi Go Ichi E

Mozart in the Jungle 4×8

Aki: Every detail of a Japanese garden is carefully planned, from the color of the mosses to the shape of the pond to the texture of the rocks. And seeing the landscape in miniature helps you reflect on the transience of life... to foster an attitude of appreciation and a mindfulness of beauty, which is central to a well-lived life.

Hailey: Sorry, I've never done this before. Is there anything I should know about the tea ceremony?
Aki: Boil water, make tea and drink it. This is the essence of the ceremony.
Rodrigo: Told you it was pretty wild.

Aki: Here, we wash the hands and the mouth to purify our mind and soul...

Aki: Each element of the tea ceremony is designed to promote harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. You will see that the art of tea is very simple: Lay the charcoal so that it heats the water, arrange the flowers as they are in the field, and give those with whom you find yourself every consideration. Then share a delicious bowl of tea. This creates a heart-to-heart connection, so that the boundaries between us come down. The Buddhists say this is the main cause of our suffering.

Aki: The door is small so that everyone is at the same level when they come to take tea.

Aki: But be careful not to touch the black lines... Just in case there's a ninja who might be hiding under the house, and who could thrust his sword up through the mat.

Aki: There is always an alcove in the tea room with calligraphy and fresh flowers reflecting the season.

Aki: So, this scroll, selected by Mrs. Kimura for this unique occasion, has the saying: "Ichi go ichi e." It means: one life, one opportunity to be present with each other and to pay full attention to this distinct time and experience.

Aki: Please, take off any jewelry. This is to not call undue attention to oneself.

Aki: Do you hear the sound the water makes? It's called Matsukaze, or "pine wind." In the ceremony, we don't use a thermometer, but we know when the water is ready because it makes the sound of the wind in the pine trees.

Mrs. Kimura: Ippuku sashi agemasu.
Aki: This is a traditional greeting that means, "I'd like to serve you some tea."

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Aki: Since you are the first guest, you take the bowl and put it to the side. And then, you say to your guest, "Osakini." "Please excuse me for going ahead of you."
Rodrigo: Osakini. Excuse me for going ahead of you.
Aki: And then, you say, "Otemae chodai itashimasu," or, "Thank you. I'm now going to drink your tea."

Aki: Please place the bowl in your left hand. Turn it slightly, as it is a courtesy to the potter to not drink from the best side. And then, you give thanks in your heart and take a sip... And then, you drink the rest of it. And the last bit, you can slurp.

Thomas: Comfort? That's the worst word for an artist, as far as I can tell.

Thomas: "The way it is." The way it is, that's a kiss of death. You have to evolve.

Thomas: All right, then, as a man, you have to experience the joy of holding your very own child in your arms. To... to love them, to smell them, to live your life through them, even though they may shit all over your fingers.

Aki: It's been said that a bowl of tea is the universe held between the palms.

Aki: So, now you ask, "May I see the tea container and the tea scoop, please?" "Onatsume..." "Ocha shaku..." "No haiken..." "Onegai..." "Itashimas."

Aki: You may see little hills and valleys, formed by the scoop as it withdrew from the tea.
Rodrigo: It's like bamboo.
Hailey: From the forest.

Aki: This is why tea takes a lifetime to master. Everything tells a story.

Aki: There is one thing more thing to say before we go.
Mrs. Kimura: Shitsurei itashimasu.
Aki: It means, "excuse me for anything that wasn't perfect."

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