A Shinto Ceremony

A few days before the program officially started, a Shinto priest performed a ceremony to bless the program, the school, and all of the participants. I felt deeply honored to see this program begin with ceremony. A ceremony recognizes this as more than just a program or technique to be learned, but hints at something burrowed within the grain, beyond the edge of the blade; something to not only be learned, but cherished, treasured, perhaps even lived and ultimately passed on…

Sashimono (指物) is a traditional Japanese woodworking craft that joins wood using precise interlocking joints—without nails, screws, or synthetic glue. As it relates to The Way of Tea, you can see examples of this kind of joinery in boxes that protect teaware or tea related treasures, teaware cabinets, chests and small storage boxes, and other beautifully designed storage/travels kits designed for very specific pieces of teaware and brewing methods, namely Japanese whisked tea.

Such interlocking joints can also be appreciated on a larger scale in the construction of temples and Shrines, one in particular that we will visit and pay respects to near the end of this apprenticeship.

Thank you to everyone who supported me in reaching this moment. The Sashimono journey is about to begin!