cultural captian

this summer i decided with my "free" time i would take on a few japanese traditional classes. i have taken shuji for a year now and i have really enjoyed my time spent with my teacher and learning a bit of the heart of japan through the lessons. however, i though it was time to branch out and see/learn more about this country i am currently residing in. i enrolled in tea ceremony and ikebana (flower arranging) classes. i was a little frightened to go. after a year i speak little japanese. i showed up to the matsubase community center last tuesday afternoon with a note asking for the class in japanese to find the cute old front desk worker waiting to show me to the room. i walk into a traditional tatami room with two women in full kimono gear and three other women. after being at school everyday where my reality and existence is often all together ignored (apparently the gaijin before have left bad impressions, and unfortunately for me and my staff all foreigners are the same, or are they? my teachers will never know, or care)so sadly, i was not expecting the wonderfully warm welcome i received. each women, 62-75, was overjoyed to see me. it took them over a half hour to figure out i truly did not speak japanese. they were over loading me with maccha and sweets and even allowed me to serve them, teaching me the traditions and rules (all with out words- see actions are important!). a true smile did not leave my face the entire two hours. the entire two hours, that i thought i would be sitting seiza! luckily, the allowed me to sit on normally, and when i began to shift my weight they continually offered a chair and eventually gave me a floor pad. i hope to soon be able to write more on the beauty and history of the japanese tea ceremony, but before this gets too long I want to get to my point. when drinking the maccha it is very important to admire the cup/bowl that it is served in. we were using two exquisite bowls, one from the cultural capital of japan, kyoto. after admiring it i asked where the other was from, one of the lady's face began to shine as the others explained that her husband was a local potter and had made it and many of the other supplies they often used during class. they disappeared for a few minutes and returned with samples, and ultimately giving me a beautiful beautiful bowl! I was so touched by their kindness and genuine happiness in spending time with me. I hope to return in a few weeks, where they want to help me dress in traditional clothing!