Ichi-go, ichi-e. As far as Japanese proverbs go, this one feels especially inspiring in these times. Translated as “One lifetime, one gathering,” this lesson and reminder to live in the moment and to treasure the people around you was one of the many pearls of wisdom given at the SpiritualiTEA Tea Ceremony event hosted by Professor Takahashi this past Wednesday, Oct. 2. The event was a quiet and safe refuge in a Nicarry classroom amidst a chaotic week of classes, exams, the incoming presidential election and the natural disasters sweeping the southern parts of America.
The event was held as a way of introducing the Japanese department and the greater Elizabethtown College community to the art and character-building process of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Professor Takahashi, or in this case Takahashi Sensei, donned a traditional kimono and began the event with a detailed and accessible history lecture, which offered a window into how tea was introduced to Japan and the evolution of social etiquette and rules that the revered ceremony has gone through over the centuries. Takahashi teaches Japanese courses at Etown and has plans to teach an entire course on the Tea Ceremony, including both history and hands-on practice. These Tea Events can be considered a precursor to these bigger plans that may be on the way.
This is good news, considering the turnout at the event was great. Students from all majors, years and walks of life attended, willing to put their life on pause to not only experience another culture but to slow down and take time to enjoy some tea and history with friends.
The ceremony itself, passed down from the 16th century, takes a lifetime to learn and focuses on self-discipline on the part of both the guest and the host. Much of the ceremony, from the way you fold dishes and interact with guests to how you make the actual tea, is based on historically high-class Japanese social etiquette rules that take years to learn. With over 60 variations and traditions and learning restricted to a strictly in-person watch-and-learn approach, the moral of the story is discipline and humility.
“Sometimes I just wanted to throw everything to the ground. The bowl, the tea, the utensils, everything,” said Takahashi Sensei of learning the practice. “But that is what teaches discipline and self control.”
This particular ceremony was in the Sen-ke style, which involves stirring a thicker matcha, amongst other details.
“I love matcha, so I was really excited to drink authentic Japanese matcha,”sophomore political science and Japanese major Eleni Bridges said. “It turned out to be really good.My favorite part was the demonstration of how the ceremony actually works. The cultural immersion and feeling like a guest at a tea ceremony in Japan was an experience. Professor Takahashi is so knowledgeable as well.”
It isgreat to see cultural events like these on campus, but it is even better to see students being taught principles of virtue and self-discipline. Traditionally, guests were required to enter the tea house through a garden with stone steps before stooping to enter the building through a small opening in the ground. That way, the guest could only bring themselves and must have the peace of mind and humility of body to stoop to the ground before drinking the tea. The host must also show servitude by cleaning the utensils once alone and a second time in front of the guest. It is, in Takahashi’s words, to serve the guest as if you will never see them again.
In a world so fast-paced and quick to anger, these timeless principles must remain an important part of our community’s focus. Keep an eye out in the Baugher’s Student Center (BSC) for flyers or posters advertising the next event. Those who attended who may want a deeper dive should also keep an eye out for the potential of a Japanese Tea Ceremony class in the future!
