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like some cicada pouring forth his woes to departing summer。 Soon the
host enters the room。 Each in turn is served with tea； and each in turn
silently drains his cup； the host last of all。 according to established
etiquette； the chief guest now asks permission to examine the tea…equipage。
Rikiu places the various articles before them； with the kakemono。 After
all have expressed admiration of their beauty； Rikiu presents one of them
to each of the assembled company as a souvenir。 The bowl alone he
keeps。 〃Never again shall this cup； polluted by the lips of misfortune； be
used by man。〃 He speaks； and breaks the vessel into fragments。
The ceremony is over； the guests with difficulty restraining their tears；
take their last farewell and leave the room。 One only； the nearest and
dearest； is requested to remain and witness the end。 Rikiu then removes his
tea…gown and carefully folds it upon the mat； thereby disclosing the
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The Book of Tea
immaculate white death robe which it had hitherto concealed。 Tenderly
he gazes on the shining blade of the fatal dagger； and in exquisite verse
thus addresses it：
〃Welcome to thee；/ O sword of eternity！/ Through Buddha/ And
through Daruma alike/ Thou hast cleft thy way。〃
With a smile upon his face Rikiu passed forth into the unknown。
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