JAPAN
handed to the guests in order, each one wiping it after he has drunk, the last guest being careful to finish its contents. Thereafter the cup goes round again to be itself examined. Even in these comparatively simple operations there are numerous points of etiquette to be observed. Every part of the equipage, every article that is used, even to the charcoal and its receptacle, are separately scrutinised by the guests at strictly ordained periods of the entertainment and in regular order. The whole thing is a study: host and guest alike must be drilled by long instruction and practice. It is impossible to conceive any code of etiquette more minute and less flexible. In former days of perfect politeness it was counted a mark of pride, and even of inhospitality, to issue an ordinary invitation at long notice: men were supposed to be always ready to receive their friends. But with the Cha-no-Yu a different fashion was observed. Invitations were sent three or four days in advance, and were even repeated in the case of old or busy persons. On the other hand, it amounted almost to an insult did a guest fail to visit his host the day after the ceremonial. The relative importance of the guests did not necessarily depend on their rank. Under the thatched roof of the tea pavilion, such distinctions often failed to receive recognition. It is related that, during an entertainment given by Sen-no-Rikiu, a nobleman of high station arrived and asked
266
