Invitation for tea-ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

Dear members of Club Nippon

 

Aarhus University, 花清会 (Kaseikai) tea-group and the Embassy of Japan would like to invite you to experience the Japanese traditional tea-ceremony.

In today's hectic world it is important to sometimes stop and just experience the moment. The tea-ceremony, where hours of preparation and concentration result in a delicious cup of tea, gives participants the opportunity to, for a few hours, forget all obligations and just enjoy being together.

At the tea-ceremony, participants will first be served a traditional sweet and then a cup of the special matcha, which is a tea that is first steamed, dried and ground to a fine powder.

 

Date: 21 May 2014.

Place: Aarhus University. Bldg. 1441-110 Tåsingegade 3, 8000 Aarhus C .

 

Time: 14.00-15.50.

14.00-14.05 Welcome by Embassy of Japan

14.05-14.45 first group

14.45-15.00 Break

15.05-15.50 second group

 

There will be two servings and there are seats for 20 guests in each group. Registration is required and will be on a fist come first served basis. If more than a total of 40 persons are interested, it will be possible to see the tea-ceremony (chairs will be supplied), but sweet and tea will only be served to the first 20 persons in each group.

If you wish to participate, please send an email to info@ch.mofa.go.jp or call 33 45 51 22.

  

The Tea Ceremony is not a performance, nor a ceremony; it is, however, a philosophy of life.

Powder tea, ‘'matcha'' was introduced into Japan 12th  century from China by Zen priest, therefore the tea ceremony was developed under the deep influence of Zen Buddhism.

The four principles of tea ceremony are “ Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquility”  ( 和、敬、静、寂 )  to be practiced between the host and guests which were build up by the great master of tea ceremony Sen Rikyû ( 千利休 ), and the aim of drinking tea is to purify ones soul by becoming one with nature.

Japanese cuisine, architect, gardening design, ceramics, craftworks, calligraphy, flower arrangement and so on, all those essence of Japanese art are contained entirely in the tea ceremony, therefore, it is a lifetime work to be a real tea master.

The "Way of Tea" ( 茶道 ) is Universal.