(31) Japanese tea, Japanese etiquette

Miyazaki July 31, 1926
To Father Caviglia Alberto

Dear Father Caviglia,

It must be difficult for you to remember me when you are so busy. For me, it is deeply moving to know that someone would remember me, especially someone with whom I share love. Looking back on my life, I believe there is no one more deeply engraved in my heart than the Chapter of St. John (in Turin) and its members, with whom I worked for many years and shared hardships and joys. Of course, I would not be able to mention you, Father. I do not mean this as flattery. My dear Father Alberto, I think of you and the Chapter of St. John every day.

　Now let's get to our problem.

�@	You're talking about Japanese tea, Father. I can't understand it at all. I pick the tea with my own hands, and we drink it every day. First, we dry it in the shade, then pour boiling water over it and drink it. No sugar! Try it. Anyway, the next time I send more plant specimens to Father Tonelli, I'll include some new ones. It's a regular drink here. It's very good for your health, and it keeps us all in good spirits. We drink it at lunch, dinner and throughout the day, and Japanese tea is served in every home we visit. When you drink it, sip it little by little, and make as much slurping as possible. That means it's delicious. Even if you don't think it tastes good, do it. You have to talk for an hour with a teacup that's only half full. Every now and then, you put the bowl to your mouth and pretend to drink it slurping... and then you continue! Still, I don't like the way things are done at banquets. Rice, the Japanese staple, is served at the end of the meal (in Japan, we use honorifics for everything, even cats and dogs, just like rice). When there is so little rice that you can't pick up a grain with your chopsticks (chopsticks are another great invention!), the hostess will pour tea into your bowl. You then drink and eat from this. Finally, she will pour more tea into the bowl to wash it. This marks the pinnacle of politeness: washing your bowl. The other day in Miyazaki, I experienced this ritual for the first time, under the guidance of the hostess of the house. The lady sat in front of me and fanned me with a folding fan, while the lady fanned me from behind. Kindness you can only find in Japan! I won't say more. I'll save it as an exclusive for when I go back.
�A〜�C	(omitted)
�D	In a few months, the missionaries of the Paris Mission will depart, and we will take over this mission field. We don't yet know what will happen then, but they will probably take everything with them. In that case, we will need your cooperation again, and we will have to trouble you. (...) Finally, my Father Albert, thank you for everything. 　(...) Best regards to you all. Heartfelt hugs.

Always yours, Father V. Cimatti