On August 3, we performed a tea ceremony for two classes of first and third-year high school students at Kolbe Catholic College, a local school about a 45-minute drive south of Perth, Australia. We were invited for the second consecutive year by Ms. Futaki, a teacher who teaches Japanese at the school. This connection inspired Ms. Futaki to start practicing the tea ceremony, and she performed one at the Perth Japan Festival on March 25 of this year.

The program included an explanation of the tea ceremony, a demonstration, a hands-on experience making tea, and a Q&A session. There was a variety of students, some who savored the light tea with gusto and others who couldn't finish it, saying, "It's bitter...". Nevertheless, everyone seemed to enjoy making their own matcha. The teachers also commented, "The smooth movements of the tea ceremony are beautiful."

It is our greatest pleasure if we were able to showcase a part of Japanese culture and convey a bit of the Japanese spirit through the tea ceremony.

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