Te-shoku

Te-shoku 手燭 use
At a Yobanashi (winter evening) tea, te-shoku (hand-held candle sticks) are used to light the Guests’ way to the teahouse, and at the Tsukubai, with making and drinking Koicha and with Kaiken of Kogo, Chawan, Chaire, etc. The Teishu enters with Haiki or Kensui and te-shoku, closes door, then proceeds and sets te-shoku, handle toward self, where it will illuminate the Temae-za. When Kogo, Chaire, Chashaku and Shifuku or chashaku and Usuki are placed out, Teishu takes handle in left hand, gives ring to right which places it out next to and Geza of utensils. In 8 mat room Yobanashi, it is easiest on Guests to use a Raku teabowl for Koicha because Kobukusa, Teabowl and te-shoku are difficult to juggle. Te-shoku goes between 1st and 2nd Guest when 1st guest drinks, then 2nd and 3rd as 2nd drinks, etc. Same at Haiken time – teshoku below/between persons doing it.

the Teishu leaves one by the Machiai exit for the Guests to use going to the Koshikake

exchange of te-shoku at Koshikake; Teishu and Shokyaku do not need to bow; everybody else does

the Shokyaku leaves it at Tsukubai

the Tsume brings it to kutsunugu ishi stone in front of Nijiriguchi and leaves it outside, lit

Hanto must collect and then replace with new candle both times before Guests leave tearoom.

One more te-shoku is left in Tokonoma by Teishu, handle to wall so Guests can look closely at scroll but not get too close to scorch or soot scroll

Tsume must return it to Sadoguchi before Teishu comes in

Aisatsu in light of tankei only

te-shoku in and out with Haiki

put out / returned with Kogo

brought in with Kensui

passed with teabowl; difficult with kasanejawan or two usucha bowls
left for suzukiusu
not passed to Guests during usu
passed with Haiken; te-shoku returned to door

zen-shoku candle stands for the kaiseki trays
brought between two trays, three if corner
out with trays; eat sweets in “dark”
Guests should not touch zen-shoku; Teishu should be on alert to trim wick during meal, esp before Teishu shoban.