tea ceremony

This might be a repeat of a post but enjoy it anyways! Our school provides us with the opportunity for cultural learning in the convenience of our dorm. Each semester they host four culture events - Japanese Tea Ceremony, Ikebana (flower arranging), Shodo (Calligraphy), and Traditional Dance. I attended three out of four events last semester (I can't remember why I didn't make it to the calligraphy lesson though... might have been in Okinawa). This semester the events are the same, so I have been lazy about making an effort to attend them but apparently so has everyone else. The events usually take place in the dorm kitchen at 11am and last until 12:30pm, they end with snacks and a nice chat. 

For the tea ceremony, our lovely hosts brought in a few things to help set the atmosphere. They brought in an instant fold-away tatami mat (flooring style of traditional Japanese rooms)! 

Our hosts! The two women in the front row in the kimono's were the tea ceremony instructors. Pretty sure everyone else (the old men) just came for the snacks. Out of the 25 or so exchange students only 4 (including myself) attended the event. Everyone else just avoids the kitchen area until about mid-afternoon. 

You can see the instant tatami mat and the other utensils used during tea ceremony. It's such an intricate process to go through just to make a cup of tea! There are many different schools of tea ceremony, and the style of manners/performance varies. It is really interesting to watch a tea ceremony being performed because of the many rules and customs, from the way the host walks into the room, sitting style, bowing style, pouring water into the bowl, stirring the tea, etc. If you ever get the chance to attend a tea ceremony, I highly recommend it! Also, Matcha (fine powder green tea) has many health benefits! 

Here we are looking a little frazzled (we're probably worried about the red-bean paste filled sweet we're about to be handed). Usually wagashi (Japanese traditional confectionery) are enjoyed before the tea is served in tea ceremony. These sweets are often beautifully decorated in some way that ties in to the season, occasionally I like them but they are definitely an acquired taste. This website might do a better job at explaining the traditional tea ceremony - Art and Essence of Japanese Tea. Enjoy!