Photo credit: Janet Donovan
Guests who arrived at the residence of The Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Sasae for tea on the occasion of the Tea Offering for Japan-U.S. Friendship and World Peace learned some proverbial lessons. Lesson #1: Patience is a virtue. It’s not like pulling up to Starbucks for an Iced Hazelnut Macchiato. Lesson #2: Silence is golden i.e.when saying nothing is preferable to speaking. That advice bodes well for Americans caught up in the speedways of life. So yes, we turned our cell phones off.
Dr. Genshitsu Sen, Urasenke Grand Master XV
The Tea Ceremony is a sacred event that promotes “Peacefulness through a Bowl of Tea.” Sound easy? Not so; it’s actually a highly complex, sacred and dedicated process.
Chado, also known as chanoyu and commonly referred to as the Japanese Tea Ceremony in English, is a spiritual and aesthetic discipline for refinement of the self — known in Japanese as a “do,” a ‘way’. The word ‘chado’ means “the way of tea.” This way called chado centers on the activity of host and guest spending a mutually heartwarming time together over a bowl of matcha tea. The host aims to serve the guest an unforgettably satisfying bowl of tea, and the guest responds with thankfulness, both of them realizing that the time shared can never be repeated, that it is a “once in a lifetime” occasion.
“Tonight we are going to recognize peace,” said Ambassador Sasae, “in a more personal and private way through our Tea Ceremony to celebrate the friendship between Japan and The United States. The Tea Ceremony is an art form with respect, purity and tranquility. The philosophy of Chado is to remove oneself from the stress and suffering of daily life and to feel peace. This ceremony celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the end of the war. I am delighted that we can share in this ceremony.”
Honored guests included Amb. Ira Shapiro, Mrs. Jean Ariyoshi -Former First Lady of the State of Hawaii, and Avril Haines, Deputy National Security Adviser. Ms. Eriko Tokura Murray, Soprano Vocalist, opened with duel National Anthems.
Patience is not without its rewards.
