Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 2.djvu/293

 box, the colour of its stem, and the direction in which the bowl should lie with respect to boxes of different forms. The position of each guest is fixed; the construction of the windows in the tea pavilion and the material of the blinds are determined; the management of the rain-doors is in accurate accord with the season, and every article of the tea equipage has its own invariable position. All these things are the alphabet of the cult. As for the host, the routine of his behaviour is accurately prescribed. So soon as he receives word that all the guests have assembled in the outer waiting-place, he repairs to the tea pavilion, raises the ewer, and mends the fire under it; clears away the ashes; lights the incense; sweeps the mats with a small hand-brush; puts the lid of the ewer, half on, and then, seating himself before the alcove, looks carefully at the picture and other ornaments. Satisfied that everything is as it ought to be, he pours some fresh water into the ewer, and goes out to welcome the guests. In greeting them, the usual method is to kneel within the door of the pavilion and make an obeisance, but if there be a nobleman among the guests, the obeisance must be made outside. Then the host returns, leaving the door of the tea pavilion partially open. The guests, on their side, having concluded their greetings, proceed to wash their hands in the order of their rank, and then, entering the pavilion, go to the alcove, one by one, and examine the picture