A woman from Nagasaki named Keim was one of the few artisans who made incense burners in Japan. Such incense burners were a work of art and were placed only in tea rooms and in front of family shrines. Keim, who inherited the art from her father, loved to drink. In addition, she smoked and spent most of her time hanging out with men. As soon as she managed to earn some money, she threw a party, inviting artists, poets, carpenters, workers - people of various professions and entertainment lovers. It was in their company that she made her compositions. Keim made her incense burners very slowly, but when the work was finished, it was the work of a Master. Her incense burners were kept in houses where women never smoked or drank, and did not speak freely with men.
One day, the mayor of Nagasaki ordered Keim an incense burner for himself. And she kept delaying the execution of the order until six months had passed. At this time, the mayor, who was in a remote city due to his work, visited her. He insisted that she start working on his incense burner.
Finally, inspiration came to Keim and she made a censer. After the incense burner was finished, she placed it on the table. Keim looked at her for a long time and meticulously. She drank and smoked in front of her, as if she were in her own company. Came looked at her all day.
Finally, raising the hammer, Keim smashed it into small pieces.
She saw that her incense burner did not have the perfection that her soul required.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru