Japanese Tea Ceremony: Obama Town, Nagasaki Prefecture

Japanese Tea Ceremonies are without a doubt one of the most amazing and culturally moving experience that you will ever have in Japan.  It goes to the root of the Japanese philosophy of complete perfection, taking years to master a simple art form and to practise until the movements become natural.  It is then and only then that one can be called a master and the years of dedication are seen as a steeping stone to bigger things.

I have had the privilege to see and participate in many Japanese Tea Ceremonies and I can tell you this they are never boring and definitely not tedious.  The attention to detail, the spectacular kimono designs, the calculated movements and the presentation itself are just beyond belief and words definitely can't describe the emotions that course through ones body.  Although I must say that the western body is not designed to sit Seiza style (to sit on one's feet whilst kneeling on a tatami floor) and within minutes the elegant posture associated with Japanese art (martial arts included) go by the wayside and sitting cross legged is resorted to.

However, this isn't frowned upon because us westerners aren't expected to be able to follow all things Japanese but at least we can enjoy the bitterness and healthiness of the green tea which is a more extreme form off green tea that is brewed and we are all accustomed to.  The ochagashi (japanese sweets) served before the tea helps remove some of the bitterness from the palate but just think about the health issues and this bitterness will be the last thing from your thoughts.

The town of Obama, has an amazing cultural center that promotes Japanese Tea Ceremony and given half a chance I would go every week, maybe this will give you the impetus to come and try for yourself?

Click on the Japanese Tea Ceremony Nagasaki photos below to enlarge:

Amazing Kimonos

A thing of Beauty

Colorful

Beautifully presented

Traditional wares

The Tea Ceremony Ladies

Typical Japanese Tea Room

Amazing Japanese Scrolls

Below is a video of my daughters Kindergarten class going through the Japanese Tea Ceremony ritual.

Please feel free to watch.