J ust A not her E v ery day The tea ceremony began, as it always had. Three men in kimonos were seated on the tatami floor in the tea house situated in a garden in suburban Japan. One, a white-haired young man with boyish features, garbed in orange with images of stylized flames and foxes, was using the silk fukusa cloth to handle to hot tea kettle, pouring for the three participants. The other two, seated next to each other across from the central tatami panel in the floor, were of similar age and garb. One had brown hair hair, cut in a feathery style, with flushed, reddish skin and a distinctly aquiline nose, and wore a sky blue robe decorated in elaborate clouds and birds, with a feather fan tucked into his belt. The third had long flowing blue-black hair, was strikingly handsome, wore black robes draped in coiling dragons, and spoke in a voice like gentle waves on the shore.
eyes closed in bliss, he hummed. “Exquisite! And may I say that the chabana flower arrangement is quite clever… snapdragon, foxglove, and bird of paradise, each leaning towards us… very fitting.”
“The scroll you selected, Kari, is exquisite… simple and elegant, with the classic themes of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility, and the illustrations of the five elements in the corners and center… lovely!” “Why thank you, Tama,” replied the tea ceremony master in his high-pitched voice as he placed the sweets before them. “That is most kind. Since I figured we are a diverse group of yokai, for wont of a better term, it seemed appropriate. Please, enjoy the sweets.” “My thanks,” came the rumbling tone of the long-nosed one, Sho, as he reached forward, using the kaishi paper to carefully lift one of the wagashi treats without disturbing anything else on the fuchidaka tray. Tasting it carefully with
“Of course,” said Kari with a mischievous smile that highlighted his vulpine features. “You are, after all, my favorite guests, and I so look forward to your visits. Now may I suggest the first tea? It is my own special blend… I call it Foxfire.” The other two happily sipped the bright green tea, murmuring in delight at its lightness and flavor. It was then, however, that Kari’s ears twitched, Sho glared at the sliding walls, and
