But still a few stories left to come from our Japanese Adventure!
Until tonight. You see the photo above on the left, the bamboo bits carefully balanced over the fire? And notice the photo on the right, where they are no longer balanced just right to slowly warm the contents over the charcoal. During checkin they asked us if we wanted Sake, yes of course- 2 please. This apparently was in addition to the other fun Sakes I preordered when booking our reservation. No problem, one can not have too much sake at dinner.
Our Nakai-san points them out to us along with how to pour into our glasses and careful return the bamboo pitcher to its artfully balanced location. First glass is delicious and tasty and I'm ready to try my hand at pouring my second. Now I know it's gonna be warm so I prepare myself. A successful pour and now it's time to rebalance the bamboo pitcher. Well, all of the sudden our Nakai-san returns with more food! Distracted by her presence and eager to get out of her way I not so carefully attempt to rebalance my bamboo pitcher.
As a child of 2 engineers, married to another, I know things about angles and fulcrums and balancing and momentum. But my brain does not automatically calculate the precise angle at which I need to place the bamboo pitcher in order for it to maintain balance. So as the Nakai-san greets us and begins setting out the next course of our dinner, I quickly place the pitcher in the ashes and move out of her way. Just as gravity begins taking over and pulling my not so carefully balanced pitcher straight onto the fire. I start to reach for it, apologizing profusely. Then realize I should not be reaching my hand towards the blazing hot coals.
Nakai-san is a professional and quickly lifts it up, rebalancing it all while apologizing herself. Clearly this was not a her thing, this was a me thing. Profoundly embarrassed I'm determined not to cause anymore trouble and listen attentively to her description of all the delicious food.
Which was fantastic and delish! Each tray full of small dishes beautifully presenting bites of deliciousness. Many unique things, a few food challenges but a wonderfully fantastic dinner at a fancy Ryokan. Where we only slightly or more than slightly embarrassed ourselves.