Filed under: Blog Post | Tags: ceremony, Culture, order, ritual, society, tea
One of the most special experiences was the tea ceremony. The entire setting was perfect, we had a great view from the 65th floor of the tallest building in Japan juxtaposed to the traditional tearoom with its simple elegance. I had a general idea of what a tea ceremony entailed due to my extensive knowledge of Karate Kid Part 2, but the explanation of the importance of the details was great. As with many things it is the attention to detail that makes this ceremony special: the practiced movement, the protocol and the respect for the guest. When I saw the ceremony in the movie I had no idea what the importance of rotating the cup was, it’s to show off the design, or the purpose for the elaborate procedure. The tea ceremony is a very spiritual thing that is an important part of Japanese culture. Japanese culture is built on ritual and order; this need for order seems to permeate to all aspects of their society.
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It is an interesting insight that you make, about the need for order in Japanese culture. I would agree completely. From the tea ceremony, to walking in a silent, straight line in the subway. I think it is this order that allows Japan to work so efficiently. Though I think in America this order might be construed as a lack of freedom and therefore a negative thing in certain situations. Too bad, it seems to work well for them!
Comment by branamka June 21, 2008 @ 9:21 pmWere we actually in the tallest building in Japan? I thought that we just saw it. If we were in it, well crap, I wish I would have known so that I could have been more in awe. It was a great experience, having the tea brewed for us was fantastic and really speaks to the traditional culture of Japan. However, I don’t think that I could kneel for that long, my legs just couldn’t take it.
Comment by kingofbreaker June 25, 2008 @ 2:56 pmThat place was really sweet. I really didn’t even realize what we were getting ourselves into when we went up there. The building looked so professional, i half expected to be walking into an office or something… not a crazy zen-like place with pebbles all over the floor and an amazing view the city (and Mt. Fuji in the distance).
Comment by blackbr4 June 26, 2008 @ 5:23 pm