{"id":64780,"date":"2020-05-28T10:38:34","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T01:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=64780"},"modified":"2020-07-30T13:21:24","modified_gmt":"2020-07-30T04:21:24","slug":"authentic-tea-ceremony-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/authentic-tea-ceremony-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning the Lessons of Authentic Tea Ceremony in Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A traditional Japanese art, green tea tasting, meditation, awakening; so many terms used to define the <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/osaka-sen-no-rikyu-tea\/\">Japanese tea ceremony or <em>chad\u014d<\/em><\/a> (\u8336\u9053 &#8220;path or way of tea&#8221;). But the essence of the tea ceremony can only be understood through experience. And, for <em>my<\/em> part, <strong>only practicing tea under authentic conditions has allowed me to grasp its nature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re staying in Tokyo, don&#8217;t be mistaken; it can be tempting to opt for a quick 30-minute introduction to tea ceremony offered by many tourist establishments. Unfortunately, these experiences are often meaningless as no explanation is given and you may leave disappointed, wondering <strong>why such importance is given to the tea ceremony<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was at the <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/shizukokoro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ek-link\">Shizu-Kokoro<\/a> certified school in Asakusa that I had the chance to attend a<strong> 90-minute workshop<\/strong>, ideal for a <strong>complete introduction<\/strong> to <em>chad\u014d<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09200959\/90min.Worlshop1-4.png\" alt=\"90-min tea ceremony workshop at Shizukokoro in Tokyo\" data-id=\"64802\" class=\"wp-image-64802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09200959\/90min.Worlshop1-4.png 1000w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09200959\/90min.Worlshop1-4-500x313.png 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09200959\/90min.Worlshop1-4-370x230.png 370w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09200959\/90min.Worlshop1-4-560x350.png 560w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09200959\/90min.Worlshop1-4-770x480.png 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Certified School In an Authentic Location<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in Tokyo&#8217;s touristy Asakusa but away from the tourist hustle and bustle, when getting off at <strong>Tawaramachi station<\/strong> you will cross charming streets as you approach the <strong>traditional Japanese house<\/strong> where Shizu-Kokoro has taken up residence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As soon as you enter, you will be greeted by the radiant Mika, or more accurately Soka, her tea ceremony instructor&#8217;s name, <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wear-japanese-kimono\/\" class=\"ek-link\">dressed in a kimono<\/a>. You will pass through a small indoor Japanese garden before settling in around a large wooden table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shizu-Kokoro is a school<strong> certified by the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Urasenke\" target=\"_blank\">Kyoto Urasenke<\/a><\/strong>, one of the largest Japanese tea ceremony schools in the world. As a school that excels at the instruction of tea ceremony for beginners and practitioners alike, the workshop begins with an explanation of <strong>the fundamentals<\/strong> of <em><em>chad\u014d<\/em> <\/em>while sipping a cup of cherry blossom tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194728\/A-stone-wash-basin1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A stone wash basin at a tea house\" data-id=\"64783\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194728\/A-stone-wash-basin1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=64783\" class=\"wp-image-64783\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194728\/A-stone-wash-basin1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194728\/A-stone-wash-basin1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194728\/A-stone-wash-basin1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194728\/A-stone-wash-basin1-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194728\/A-stone-wash-basin1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194812\/Gallery-1024x675.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"64791\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194812\/Gallery.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=64791\" class=\"wp-image-64791\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194812\/Gallery-1024x675.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194812\/Gallery-500x330.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194812\/Gallery-1536x1013.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194812\/Gallery.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"628\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194822\/Temae2-1024x628.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in kimono performing Japanese tea ceremony\" data-id=\"64794\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194822\/Temae2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=64794\" class=\"wp-image-64794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194822\/Temae2-1024x628.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194822\/Temae2-500x307.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194822\/Temae2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Over 20 years of Tea Ceremony Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Light, intensity, beauty, and wisdom are the words that come to mind to describe my meeting with Mika. And for good reason, as Mika has over <strong>twenty years of experience<\/strong> in <em><em>chad\u014d<\/em> <\/em>and has obtained a <strong>1st rank instructor certification<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After several years of hard work in the Los Angeles film production industry, Mika discovered the <strong>soothing benefits<\/strong> of the &#8220;Way of Tea&#8221; from Mrs. Sosei Matsumoto, one of the most recognized and influential tea masters in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to being an expert in the tea ceremony, Mika is<strong> fluent in English <\/strong>and knows how to adapt to guests from around the world who visit Tokyo in search of a cultural experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194817\/IMG_6144-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Mika and I, in the traditional tea ceremony room at Shizukokoro school\" class=\"wp-image-64792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194817\/IMG_6144-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194817\/IMG_6144-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194817\/IMG_6144-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194817\/IMG_6144.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Elements of a Proper Tea Ceremony<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have acquired the theoretical bases, Mika takes you upstairs to a traditional tea room with tatami. She will guide you through each step of the tea ceremony and give you the explanations and historical references necessary for your understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The <em>Tokonoma<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, you will contemplate the <strong><em>Tokonoma<\/em><\/strong>, a small alcove with a raised floor in which there are 3 elements: a <strong>calligraphy <\/strong>(evoking a poem, a saying, or a word, which expresses the intention of the ceremony), a seasonal <strong>floral arrangement<\/strong> to remind our connection with nature, and incense to purify the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194807\/DSC03971-710x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The tokonoma, a typical place of the tea ceremony that invites to be contemplated, at Shizukoro shcool,Tokyo\" class=\"wp-image-64790\" width=\"533\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194807\/DSC03971-710x1024.jpg 710w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194807\/DSC03971-347x500.jpg 347w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194807\/DSC03971-1065x1536.jpg 1065w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194807\/DSC03971.jpg 888w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><figcaption><em>The tokonoma in the tea room used for tea ceremony.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Choice of Utensils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, you will observe the utensils needed for the ceremony and their arrangement. <strong>The choice of utensils<\/strong> is indeed important and meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the kettle used during the workshop is unique and its shape evokes Mount Fuji, which carries a strong symbolism of Japan. Also, the first and main tea, <em>koicha<\/em> (\u6fc3\u8336, &#8220;strong tea&#8221; or &#8220;thick tea&#8221;) should be served in a plain handmade bowl; while the second tea, <em>usucha<\/em> (\u8584\u8336, &#8220;light tea&#8221; and foamy) can be served in a transparent bowl. Note that serving usucha tea is not necessarily part of the ceremony but it was mainly an adaptation to allow more people to enjoy the tea. The taste of the <em>koicha<\/em> can be surprisingly bitter while the <em>usucha<\/em> is more palatable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"713\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194820\/Koicha.jpg\" alt=\"koicha, \u6fc3\u8336 &quot;strong tea&quot; or &quot;thick tea&quot; served in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony\" data-id=\"64793\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194820\/Koicha.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=64793\" class=\"wp-image-64793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194820\/Koicha.jpg 713w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194820\/Koicha-500x323.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 713px) 100vw, 713px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"754\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194825\/Usucha.jpg\" alt=\"Usucha, \u8584\u8336, &quot;light tea&quot; with foamy texture, served in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony\" data-id=\"64795\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194825\/Usucha.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=64795\" class=\"wp-image-64795\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194825\/Usucha.jpg 754w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194825\/Usucha-500x308.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\"><em>The two types of tea used in tea ceremony: koicha (thick) and usucha (thin).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Arrangement of the Utensils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The arrangement of the utensils as well as the traditional Japanese cakes served during the ceremony<strong> change according to the seasons<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the summer, the kettle is placed in a corner of the room away from the guests, and Mika sets a large, open, cold water container to visually refresh the room. As she pointed out, you have to imagine that back then, air conditioning did not exist and any means to make the room seem cooler were appreciated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So many details are part of the<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/gifu-nakatsugawa-zen-meditation\/\"><strong>Zen philosophy-inspired<\/strong> <em>chad\u014d<\/em><\/a>&#8216;s many teachings: beauty lies in the details of everyday objects. Attending such a ceremony undoubtedly develops one&#8217;s sense of observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"679\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194740\/DSC03955-1024x679.jpg\" alt=\"The many detailed utensils of a Japanese Tea ceremony\" class=\"wp-image-64785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194740\/DSC03955-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194740\/DSC03955-500x331.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194740\/DSC03955-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194740\/DSC03955.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Tea Ceremony: A Precious Moment to Relax<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, tea preparation and service begins. We observe Mika performing a very precise sequence of <strong>slow and meticulous movements<\/strong>; each gesture counts and has a precise meaning. As she prepares the tea, Mika moves like a dancer, with a lightness and an <strong>elegance<\/strong> that is rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At first intrigued by these ritualized gestures, one wonders: &#8220;Why does she perform the exact same gesture three times in a row with the bamboo whisk? Why does she repeat a succession of folding and unfolding of the <em>fukusa<\/em>, the red silk fabric used to clean the tea instruments? What does this mean?&#8221;. Then as if hypnotized, one simply appreciates the grace of the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mika informs us about the meaning of these gestures, all of which derive their<strong> significance from Buddhism<\/strong> and have their importance at every stage of the preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To close the ceremony, our host explains why she chose the bowl in which the tea was served to you and <strong>the few rules on how to receive the tea as a participant<\/strong>. Then it will be your turn to try preparing tea for your guest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"835\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194746\/DSC03959-1024x835.jpg\" alt=\"Host begins the Japanese tea ceremony\" class=\"wp-image-64786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194746\/DSC03959-1024x835.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194746\/DSC03959-500x407.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194746\/DSC03959-1536x1252.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194746\/DSC03959.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225031\/DSC03960-1-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"One of the meticulous steps to prepare the tea during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony\" class=\"wp-image-64808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225031\/DSC03960-1-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225031\/DSC03960-1-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225031\/DSC03960-1-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225031\/DSC03960-1-1-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225031\/DSC03960-1-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225729\/DSC03965-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Mika repeats a succession of folds and unfolds of the fukusa during a Japanese tea ceremony workshop\" data-id=\"64811\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225729\/DSC03965-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=64811\" class=\"wp-image-64811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225729\/DSC03965-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225729\/DSC03965-1-333x500.jpg 333w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09225729\/DSC03965-1.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194802\/DSC03966-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Folding the fukusa used for Japanese tea ceremony\" data-id=\"64789\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194802\/DSC03966.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?attachment_id=64789\" class=\"wp-image-64789\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194802\/DSC03966-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194802\/DSC03966-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194802\/DSC03966-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194802\/DSC03966-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09194802\/DSC03966.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Benefits of Tea Ceremony: Active Meditation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After this workshop, I felt so at peace that I wanted to know more about the benefits of tea ceremony. Luckily, Mika is studying neuroscience and psychology. She explained to me that by observing the location and details of the utensils, watching the meticulous gestures of the tea instructor, and then performing them yourself, you are doing<strong> active meditation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are so concentrated on the actions that the left brain associated with logical and rational reasoning is active, while the right brain (intuitive and emotional) is at rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, the prefrontal cortex (associated with learning) is stimulated by this mysterious art, and it feels <strong>rewarding <\/strong>to learn or to progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"698\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09230537\/DSC03954-2-1024x698.jpg\" alt=\"Tea ceremony hosted by a woman in traditional Japanese kimono\" class=\"wp-image-64812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09230537\/DSC03954-2-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09230537\/DSC03954-2-500x341.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09230537\/DSC03954-2-1536x1046.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/09230537\/DSC03954-2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, Japanese tea ceremony offers a beautiful insight into<strong> traditional Japanese culture<\/strong> and its refinement while enabling you to disconnect from the everyday frenzy, at least for the time spent in the workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the ceremony is also <strong>an encounter with a rising master<\/strong>, imbued with wisdom. If you are visiting Tokyo, I strongly recommend a tea ceremony experience at <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/shizukokoro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ek-link\">Shizu-Kokoro school<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Address: 1-9-8 Nishi Asakusa, Taito-Ku, Tokyo 111-0035 Japan<\/li><li>Opening hours: 10 am &#8211; 6 pm<\/li><li>Price: 4180 yen for a 90 minute workshop<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1NISjgb0OpchCr5QxbqFyk3Y_ab8A9G0L&amp;hl=en\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A traditional Japanese art, green tea tasting, meditation, awakening; so many terms used to define the Japanese tea ceremony or&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":64784,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,1408],"tags":[2065,2068,1322,1329,2058,1250],"class_list":{"0":"post-64780","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-activities","8":"category-kanto","9":"tag-cultural-activities","10":"tag-indoor-activities","11":"tag-kimono","12":"tag-tea","13":"tag-tokyo-city","14":"tag-tokyo"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Learning the Lessons of Authentic Tea Ceremony in Tokyo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"On your trip to Tokyo, learn the history and importance of Japanese tea ceremony by experiencing it yourself with a top level tea master.\" \/>\n<meta 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