A fieldwork at Machiko Kuroda's Minka (farmhouse) in Kimino - working so hard, weeding, slashing vines, restoring trails and giving a good tidy up to the property. We also planted 5 chestnuts trees - so in 3 years time, we all should be back to taste the fruits of hard work! Machiko, a quilt artist, purchased this 90 year old house about 10 years ago. It was a major orchard, which had closed about 3 years before the purchase. She said her responsibility to this place was 'simply because she witnessed it' - perhaps that applies to all of us being on this planet today. Shima-san, a tea master, demonstrated tea and the significance of Inyo Gogyo (5 qualities of Ying and Yang - wood, fire, earth, metal, water), which is the base of many aspects of Japanese culture and influence harmony/balance of the world. Tea includes all 5 elements. Tea cakes, which we enjoy having tea, are to be enjoyed with all five senses, including the sound eg a sugar frosted green cake is called 'Snow on pine leaves" so we enjoy the imaginative sound of snow falling on pine trees. Shima-san explained that all these stories are becoming less known in Japan, including Go Sekku (5 seasonal dates), Jan 1, March, 3, May 5, July 7 and Sept 9 observed in Japanese life.
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