July and August are currently the hottest months of the year. Even in the snowy frontier lands of Hokkaido, the days are balmy and the cool refreshments of summer make their appearance.
Yesterday, I visited a friend of mine at the temple nearby my house and she served me Japanese sweets (not pictured) along with this delightful red perilla tea she had made. Red Perilla (あかしそ) is a Japanese herb, and while I call it a tea, it is in fact the juice of the leaves. It is naturally this deep crimson colour.
It was extremely suitable for the heat of the day. The sharp aroma of the juice contrasted with the two pieces of ice floating in the cup. Glass, by the way is considered cool feeling (resembling ice as it does) and thus appropriate for summer. Furthermore, the truly elegant host will chill the cup in the refrigerator beforehand as well. This cup here, by the way, is lightly etched with morning glories, calling to mind the cool morning air in this humid season.
天地間に 