Читать книгу Tea Ceremony - Shozo Sato - Страница 7

The simple enjoyment that can come from drinking a beverage is a pleasure that we often experience without much thought. We might remember a nice drink associated with a special situation, however. A warm cup of hot chocolate may be especially wonderful after coming inside from playing in the snow, and a cold glass of lemonade may be nice on a hot summer day. These occasions are even more enjoyable and memorable when the setting is comfortable and we are able to share the moment with someone special.

In Japan, a special tradition was developed to create a calm and wonderful atmosphere for drinking tea. This tradition is called the tea ceremony. It is based not just on sharing a cup of tea with a friend, but on experiencing a special moment in a very relaxing kind of place.

This may sound like a strange idea, but it might be similar to something you already do. For example, imagine the following situation:

Your friend comes over on a warm summer day and you decide to have some orange juice. You ask your friend to sit at the dining room table. Perhaps you set out a nice vase containing a flower, or at least remove the newspapers and clutter from the table. You go to the refrigerator and take out the pitcher of juice with the simplest movements of your hands and body, without spilling a drop. With care and grace that you aren't even aware of you place the juice container on the countertop.

You know that the juice is orange, so perhaps you pick glasses that will complement the color of the juice. You pour juice into the glasses, being careful not to splash juice on the counter. You might even wipe the pitcher with a napkin after you've finished pouring Without thought, as if its the most obvious thing in the world, you return the container to the refrigerator.

When you place the glass of orange juice in front of your friend, it's like you're telling him or her to "please enjoy" the juice. Your friend will probably thank you for the juice, but even if nothing is said, you know that your friend appreciates your thoughtfulness. And if you've taken the time to enhance your experience-by adding ice to the glasses, or clearing the clutter off the table-you and your friend will share a pleasant, refreshing moment.

This sort of act is performed often. We're so used to this conduct that we do it almost without thinking.

The tea ceremony focuses on how people can find pleasure, peace, and companionship in a simple and beautiful way-but in a more organized way than when you and your friend enjoy glasses of juice on a warm day. This spirit of the tea ceremony is the essence of Japanese culture.

This book first presents a short history on the tea ceremony and then takes you through all of the steps for making a bowl of tea to share with friends. Children both in Japan and in the United States have experienced and enjoyed the tea ceremony, and perhaps you can, too.

Japanese children enjoy a tea ceremony.

I will present the tea ceremony as it is traditionally performed, using the traditional tools. You may need to modify some of the steps with what is available to you. The traditional ceremony calls for matcha, which is a powdered green tea. You must also have a whisk for the powdered tea.

Serving brewed tea is another kind of ceremony. Brewed tea is often served in very casually, but there are also more formal ways to serve it. Steps will be included so that you can serve brewed tea in more formal ways.

I take great pleasure in presenting the tea ceremony to you. I sincerely hope that you will share what you learn in this book with your friends, as sharing is the spirit of the tea ceremony.

School children enjoy tea at the Japan House at the University of Illinois.

Trieste practices the tea ceremony in northern California.