The universe in silence: the beauty that resides in the gestures of the tea ceremony
A universe in silence: the beauty that resides in the gestures of the tea ceremony
"Soooo..." "Koton" "Fuwari"
The sound of tabi socks touching the tatami, the sound of a tea scoop being placed on a tea bowl, and the hint of rising steam.
All of this is a silent poem sung by the gestures of the tea ceremony.
Step into the tea room - a world beckoned by the sounds of tatami mats
The first thing you notice when you step into the tea room is the change in the atmosphere.
The low entrance naturally blocks out the noise of the outside world.
At that moment, the sound of tabi socks is absorbed into the tatami.
"Shh..."
"soot…"
Her white tabi socks glided smoothly along the gaps in the dry tatami mats.
The sound is soft, like the wind caressing the grass.
The steps are never rushed and time begins to flow slowly.
Dance of Movement - What the Palms Tell
The host's movements as he carries the tea utensils resemble a dance.
The angle of your wrist when lifting the ladle, the spacing of your fingers when placing the tea bowl.
They all have meaning.
"Koto"
The sound of the tea bowl being placed on the tatami mat is quiet and firm, like a heartbeat.
The husband's heart is poured into that one sound.
The movement of the chasen is like the wind caressing the surface of the water.
"Shh, shh, shh..."
The matcha bubbles and releases its aroma.
Fragrance Memories: Matcha Teaches the Seasons
The aroma of matcha embodies the season.
The young leaves of spring, the deep green of summer, the withered leaves of autumn, the silence of winter.
All of this is alive in the tea bowl.
The moment you pour hot water in, the fragrance gently rises.
It evokes a scene that lies dormant in the depths of memory.
"Softly..."
"Shh..."
The aroma that tickles your nose may be a memory of the tea you drank at your grandmother's house when you were a child.
Or perhaps it was the smell of the garden of a temple in Kyoto that I visited for the first time.
The universe of the tea room: infinity in a limited space
The four-and-a-half-mat tea room seems small but is actually spacious.
The seasons, time, and heart are all condensed there.
A single character written on a hanging scroll.
A single flower displayed on the tokonoma alcove.
They speak more than words.
"core…"
The sound of silence fills the tea room.
Even if no one speaks, we can understand each other's hearts.
Customers' behavior: receiving beauty
The way the guest receives the tea bowl is also beautiful.
Hold it carefully with both hands and bow slightly.
The act of turning the tea bowl is a sign of gratitude and respect.
"Twirling..."
"Shh..."
The temperature of the matcha touching your lips.
At that moment, everything about the tea room permeates your body.
The beginning of the end - a gesture that leaves a lasting impression
When the tea is ready and the utensils are put away.
It's not the end, but the beginning of the next one.
"thing…"
"Shh..."
The sound of the tea scoop returning to its original position.
The sound of the ladle settling into the water pitcher.
They leave a lingering impression, as if a curtain has quietly fallen.
What the Tea Ceremony Teaches Us
The tea ceremony etiquette is not just a matter of movements.
It is a ritual to tidy the mind and an expression of respect for others.
And above all, it's time to face yourself.
Sound, scent, movement—all of these come into harmony within the universe that is the tea room.
At that moment, one realizes the meaning of being "here and now."