Inside The Shodensanso Villa, Part 1

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Tea Ceremony

at the Shodensanso Villa (松殿山荘), Uji Japan

In “Approaching the Shodensanso
Villa” last week, we ended looking at the main entrance to the
86-year-old grand villa just outside of Kyoto. Here's a view from the
entrance looking out.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/8, ISO 800 —
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/3.2, ISO 125 —
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“Hi”







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Round Window & Tiger







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Big Room

We received a half-hour talk in this room about the history of the place and the guy who built it
(Tsunetaro Takaya). The whole time I just couldn't stop marveling at the ceiling, whose 4-foot-by-4-foot
panels were each a solid board...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 3600 —
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Gorgeous

on the floor on my back at 14mm








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 62mm — 1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 —
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 34mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200 —
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Alcoves







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Damien

with context, the room suddenly seems a lot bigger, doesn't it?

After the lecture we were ushered to another room for, what turned out to be Tea Ceremony. For a bit I had the room mostly to myself...

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Awaiting Participants

At the start of a Tea Ceremony you receive a couple of small sweets, to
cleanse th palate, I guess. People were still coming in and there was
general hustle and bustle, so it was fine to use the camera...

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Getting Started

Once the ceremony proper got started, everyone put their cameras away. It's unfortunate because the backlit steam rising from the pot (seen in
frame left above) was wonderful.

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After

We could inspect the ornately-decorated implements. Here Damien (in a rare photo without is red hat)
is photographing the small container for the dry green tea, and the little bamboo spoon-ish thing used
to place a bit into each bowl while making tea...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 44mm — 1/200 sec, f/4, ISO 1100 —
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Paul's Turn







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Sans Camera

I don't quite understand what's going on with the lady above, but she
somehow seems to be able to see and maybe even appreciate the bowl
without the use of a camera. Seems odd. Perhaps she's from another planet.

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/4, ISO 450 —
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My Turn
Desktop-Background Versions

1280×800  ·  1680×1050  ·  1920×1200  ·  2560×1600  ·  2880×1800

The surface was glossy smooth, but the fine pine cones and needles were
very “3D”, so the layer of lacquer (or whatever) must have been quite
thick. It all felt quite high class and delicate. I inquired about its age; it's a modern piece.

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 —
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Detail








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Preparing

for the next group







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Back Hallway







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Old Light Switches








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Next Group

preparing to enter the room for the next group's tea ceremony

(she's kneeling where Damien and Paul were photographing the cup earlier)







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Kitchen

not meant to be seen by villa guests

( but I got a special tour by the caretaker )








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/60 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 —
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Large Doors

the main panel of each is a single massive board perhaps 4½ feet across

To be continued...