From the mayhem of the Sanja Matsuri to a Tea Ceremony atop Tateyama - It's almost surreal to switch from the confusion of the matsuri in Tokyo to a tea ceremony at a beautiful tea house named Gangetsu-an atop the mountain overlooking Tateyama. Kaori arranged to have her sister, Akemi and mother, Kazu put on an abbreviated tea ceremony to demonstrate this classic Japanese art from for the group but also to give us a personal, heartfelt welcome from the Mizoguchi family.
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| The peace and quiet was enhanced by the garden visible just outside. |
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| Kaori's sister, Akemi performing the tea ceremony ritual. |
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| The special cup selected by Akemi for the ceremony. |
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| The Mizoguchi girls. Kaori left, Akemi, and Kazu, their mother. Kazu is a tea ceremony teacher and has been practicing it all of her life. |
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| The group, attentive and respectful. Each of them shared a bowl of tea with the Mizoguchis. It was a magical morning. |
