Japan and The Way of Tea
My love of matcha first drew me to the tea ceremony but I was surprised to know that tea was only the beginning. Attending a Japanese Tea Ceremony is one the best ways to immerse yourself in the traditional arts of Japan. It encapsulates many unique aspects of Japanese culture: lacquer wares, calligraphy, Zen Buddhism, Kimono, traditional desserts like "wagashi" 和菓子 and many others.
"...hand-made, beautifully-shapen and, as I confirmed later, nectar of Gods." - Yoneblogger referring to “wagashi” 和菓
The Japanese Tea ceremony 茶道, chadō, literally means “the way of tea” or 茶の湯, chanoyu. As with other "dō" (Judō, Kendō, Shodō for example) it teaches mindfulness and lessons from Zen Buddhism is echoed in the practice. The simplicity in the design of the tea room, the focus on graceful, reverent movements and the slow pace of the ceremony fully immerses the participants. The purpose of the ceremony is to ensure everyone is focused on the present moment, which is why wearing a watch is prohibited in the tea room. It seems unbelievable that a seemingly simple event can create such an atmosphere but one only has to step foot into a tea room to understand. In a world as fast paced as ours it provides a much needed break.
Written on the scroll is the phrase "Ichigo ichie" a Japanese life philosophy literally translated to one time, one encounter. - ILLUMINATION
The Japanese tea ceremony is a centuries old tradition that has survived the test of time and is still practiced in present day Japan and all across the world. The Dot and Line met with Keiko Kitazawa Koch, who conducts tea ceremonies and teaches the art form to aspirants at Manhattan’s Globus Chashitsu. It is not uncommon to find tea schools training students in "the way of tea" and the accompanying art forms of wearing kimono and Japanese calligraphy.
During my time in Japan I’ve been able to document, learn and practice with students at Shimada Sensei’s Tea School under the careful guidance of Sensei Shimada Machi herself. In many ways "the way of tea" teaches you about yourself and your connection to those around you. This connection has sparked opportunities for cultural exchange; her students are eager to learn about my home country of Trinidad & Tobago and I am just as curious about Japan. The openness and willingness to embrace a new culture and new experiences has made learning "the way of tea" a truly unique experience.
Amidst the hustle of everyday life, I encourage you to make a cup of green tea and enjoy every minute of it. If only for a moment you have found the way of tea.
Interested in learning more about Japanese culture? Comment below, what would you like to see me write about next.
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