Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/4, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
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 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/3.2, ISO 125 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Hi”

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Round Window & Tiger

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/5, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
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 — map & image data — nearby photos
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 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 34mm — ¹/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Alcoves

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
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...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
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...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/4, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
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.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 56mm — ¹/250 sec, f/4, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
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 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/4, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Paul's Turn

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/640 sec, f/5, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
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 — map & image data — nearby photos
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 — map & image data — nearby photos
Detail

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/200 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Preparing
for the next group

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Back Hallway

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — ¹/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Old Light Switches

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 60mm — ¹/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
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)

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — ¹/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
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 — map & image data — nearby photos
Large Doors
the main panel of each is a single massive board perhaps 4½ feet across

To be continued...