On Thursday, October 9th, we visited Kanto Daiichi High School to conduct a tea ceremony demonstration.

Through connections made at the Perth Japan Festival held in Perth, Western Australia on March 15th this year, we demonstrated the tea ceremony for ten second-year students planning to study abroad in Perth next March, along with two Australian students currently studying in Japan. The students whisked matcha tea, served sweets and tea, and experienced drinking matcha themselves.

We were relieved to hear that most students had tasted matcha before.

We explained tea ceremony principles like “和敬清寂Wakeiseijyaku (Harmony, Respect, Purity, Tranquility)” “一期一会Ichigo Ichie (Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter)” and “一座建立Ichiza konryu(Establishing the Gathering)” and shared that tea ceremonies often have themes.

Seeing them bow while seated on tatami mats, especially the “O-saki ni” bow when receiving sweets or tea, was so fresh and beautiful. We sincerely hope these young people will carry on this wonderful Japanese culture.

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