The Perfect Gift

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The Perfect Gift was a virtual representation of one of Fujibayashi Naoe's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Description

Naoe looks to learn proper tea etiquette in preparation for the tea ceremony with Imai Sōkyū.

Dialogue

Still keeping the trader disguise, Naoe explored the port of Sakai and found a tea shop.

• Naoe: These merchants must know something of tea etiquette.

Naoe spoke to the merchant.

• Naoe: Do you know where I can learn tea etiquette?
• Merchant: Who do I look like? Sen no Rikyu?
• Naoe: Who is he?
• Merchant: Who is Sen no Rikyu? He is the undisputed master of the tea ceremony.

Moments later, Sen no Rikyu came along.

• Sen no Rikyu: And you'd shower Master Sokyu with the same praise if he were shopping for tea.
• Merchant: Nonsense, Master Rikyu. I would be content if I had no other customer but you.
• Sen no Rikyu: A very gracious lie.
• Naoe: Do you teach the tea ceremony?
• Sen no Rikyu: (sighs) Mostly to the disinterested offspring of powerful daimyo and wealthy merchants.
• Naoe: I am no daimyo's daughter. I'm just a simple trader interested in the ways of tea.
• Sen no Rikyu: Oh?
• Naoe: Yes. I am told tea ceremonies are a good place to meet people of influence. And perhaps their influential masters.
• Sen no Rikyu: (chuckles) You are not from Sakai. You haven't traded your spirits for the promise of prosperity.
• Naoe: No, I am not. I must learn etiquette for Master Sokyu's tea ceremony.
• Sen no Rikyu: Master Sokyu? Then you will need my help. Walk with me to my home. We can talk on the way.

Sen no Rikyu then turned to his merchant employee.

• Sen no Rikyu: Have those teas brought to my home, would you?

Naoe followed Rikyu as they walk to his home.

• Sen no Rikyu: So... What is it that you are really here to do in Sakai?
• Naoe: I told you, I'm here to trade and make contacts.
• Sen no Rikyu: Yes, that's what you told me. At any rate, opportunity has placed us on a common path, and who am I to refuse the call?
• Naoe: Why do you react to Master Sokyu's name like that? You don't like him?
• Sen no Rikyu: As a fellow master, I respect what he has achieved. But we have different philosophies when it comes to tea.
• Naoe: So you don't like him.

Soon, they reached Rikyu's home.

• Sen no Rikyu: Ah! We have arrived. You must approach your training in a state of readiness. Let me know when you would like to begin.
• Naoe: I am ready.
• Sen no Rikyu: Hm! Then come with me.

Naoe followed Rikyu into his residence. As he spoke to his servant, Naoe observed the residence pond. Once he was done, Naoe approached him.

• Naoe: This place is beautiful, Master Rikyu.
• Sen no Rikyu: Ah, it was designed around the for virtues. Respect, tranquility, purity, and harmony. I approach my ceremonies the same way.
• Naoe: Before we begin... can I ask what you want from me?
• Sen no Rikyu: What do I want?
• Naoe: I'm told everything here is either bargained or bought. What do you want in return?
• Sen no Rikyu: Dear child. So many people demand a price. I try to bring a pinch of balance into the world. What I give is freely given. Now then, let's begin with basic etiquette. Rank and title are put aside. Guests enter as equals.

Rikyu led Naoe into his hut.

• Sen no Rikyu: The host becomes the servant. First impressions tell people how to treat you. How would you bow to me?

Naoe gave a ninety-degree bow.

• Sen no Rikyu: Too much. Treat the guests like daimyo, and they'll make you their servant. The half-bow puts us on equal standing.

Rikyu led Naoe to sit down.

• Sen no Rikyu: Free from pride or prejudice, we can discuss art, poetry, architecture.
• Naoe: I am not very skilled in the arts. Certainly not in poetry.
• Sen no Rikyu: Nonsense. It's simply comparing things to express or giving voice to nature, like "thunder tears the sky."
• Naoe: I see. Like "blood blossoming from a wound?"
• Sen no Rikyu: ...Yes. But with any luck, you'll not need to compose a poem on the night. Purity is honored in thought and action. The cleaning of utensils, the turning of the bowl...

Rikyu picked up a ornamented bowl.

• Naoe: The turning of the bowl?

He then demonstrate the turning of the bowl.

• Sen no Rikyu: We drink from a common bowl. Each turns it light slightly to the right. In this way, the front, the most beautiful part of the bowl, faces the host and other guests as a sign of humility. Of respect.
• Naoe: Is there anything else I should know?

Rikyu stood up.

• Sen no Rikyu: It is customary to give a gift at the end of the ceremony.

Naoe stood up as well and followed Rikyu to a table filled with several objects.

• Sen no Rikyu: I've got something to show you. My apprentice has selected three items from my personal collection. You may choose one to give to Master Sokyu. A Yixing tea pot with gold trim, representing the height of Chinese craftsmanship. A humble tea-leaf jar that has passed through the hands of many masters. Finally, this unassuming bamboo ladle, fashioned by the unequalled craftsman, Shutoku.
• Naoe: I can't accept any of these. You're too generous.
• Sen no Rikyu: Nonsense. Simply return that generosity to me or someone else. And so, we keep the world in balance. Choose.

Rikyu gave Naoe some space and time to choose. After thinking for a while, Naoe picked the bamboo ladle.

• Naoe: My gift will be the Shutoku bamboo ladle.
• Sen no Rikyu: An excellent choice. I hope you will find what you seek at the ceremony.

Naoe bowed to Rikyu and left his residence.

(If "Dress for Success" is not completed yet)

• Naoe: I'll need to find a kosode to complete my disguise before I return to House Imai.

Outcome

Naoe met the famed tea master Sen no Rikyu and learned tea etiquettes from him. She was then asked to choose a gift for Imai Sokyu for his tea ceremony and picked a bamboo ladle.