Japan's Tea Ceremony Offers Peace of Mind

In the traditional way of drinking tea, in China, it is "Cha Tao" Tea Path. , it mean drinking of Tea & think of the "Tao" of life. So it is more a spiritual building event on Tea Ceremony is concern.

Whenever people gather in Drinking Tea, they will play chess, they well do painting, write poems, meditations...

Very often when one is having "Cha Tao" alone, that is the time where one would recollect themself of their doing.

That is exaclty the Chinese Culture of "Siew Sheng Young Shing" cultivate Geat Health & One Character!!


Japan's Tea Ceremony Offers Peace of Mind
By Yoon Won-sup Staff Reporter

Carolyn La Brash, wife of the Canadian ambassador to South Korea, said drinking Japanese tea is like ``meditating,'' after attending a two-hour presentation on the Japanese way of tea or ``chado,’’ held at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Seoul, Friday.

``I was surprised to find out there were many steps involved in drinking Japanese tea, which made people calm and relaxed, just like meditating,'' La Brash said.

Actually, a peace of mind was shared by all people present, who listened attentively to Kanako Muramatsu, the chado instructor, and drank Japanese green tea following the instructions.

According to Muramatsu, a host first prepares the charcoal firing to heat water in the tearoom, while guests wait for the tea after having a meal.

When the host finishes making the tea, guests take the tea bowl with the right hand and place it on the palm of the left. And most importantly, they should spin the bowl twice clockwise and then bow to express their appreciation to nature and the host before drinking the tea.

With the right hand on the side of the bowl on the left hand's palm, the guests drink the tea through three sips. The taste of the green tea is a little bitter, but two sweets _ ``omogasi'' made from red and white beans and ``higasi'' from sugar _ are served with the tea and provide a perfect combination of tastes.

``It was so great to drink Japanese tea,'' said Gamze Kuneralp, wife of the Turkish ambassador to Seoul. ``I was impressed at the taste and the way the tea is served.''

The presentation was part of a monthly meeting by the Seoul Garden Club comprising the wives of foreign ambassadors residing in Seoul and Korean women.

``Chado is not just drinking tea, but it also has the meaning of ones' devotion to the spiritual values such as harmony, respect, purity and tranquility,'' said Kazuko Takano, wife of the Japanese ambassador, who organized the tea presentation for the club.

For example, it takes two days to make the omogasi confectionery, because of its complicated recipe, which naturally invokes one of the four values to both the host and guest, she added.

Mary Louise Heseltine, wife of the Australian ambassador, also echoed the view saying it was spiritual experience to learn how to drink the tea.

Members of the club, which was established in 1958, meet every second Friday of the month so they can exchange cultural presentations or conduct charity activities for the needy.

About 30 members of the club participated in the tea presentation. Nina Braastad, wife of the Norwegian ambassador, currently assumes the one-year presidency of the club.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr
02-22-2005 19:45



Members of the Seoul Garden Club participate in the Japanese tea ceremony held at the residence of Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Takano Toshiyuki in Seoul, Friday. / Korea Times
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The Korea Times : Japan's Tea Ceremony Offers Peace of Mind