Tea-rific! : Japanese Tea and Other Arts at the Cultural Performance

      On Sunday night, we attended a Japanese cultural arts performance in Kyoto, which displayed all of Japan's traditional crafts that are centuries-old. The show included the Koto, or the Japanese harp; the Kado, the art of flower arrangement; Gagaku, court music; Kyogen, ancient theatre similar to Noh; Kyomai, or Kyoto-style dance performed by the Maikos (Geishas in training); and lastly, Chado, or the Tea Ceremony.
   

The show reflected what we have not seen as much of this trip - tradition. The Japan we have seen thus far has been the modernized, busy cities full of people, even in the more rural areas. However, this performance was as is if we stepped back in time to see the historical Japan, based in unique tradition and a reverent nation.
       The Chado. or tea ceremony, began the show. Two women performed the ceremony, using the utmost precision and respect to carry it out. They opened the sliding door, entering one at a time. After bowing to the guests, they used all the utensils needed for the ceremony, such as the ladle, the tea cups, the folded napkins, the bamboo whisk, and more. Although it was the condensed version of the ceremony, many of the same values and meanings still remained intact. The spirit of the Chado can be defined by the values of grace, tranquility, purification, and spirituality. The tea master who established the modern ceremony, Sen no Rikyu, used the term "Wa Kei Sei Jaku" to describe the ceremony's goal of utilizing beauty in simplicity.
       Although quite terse, it was still fascinating to see this ancient tradition, among all the others as well. It was the most sacred and intimate of their cultural rituals, and it felt that way watching it.
     Before the trip, I expected to see most of these rich traditions still very much in play, but was surprised to find most of our itinerary consist of busy, crowded, westernized cities. As much as I loved everything that we saw, I still wanted to see these ancient cultural acts. Tonight's performance certainly proved to me that Japan still partakes in their rich traditions and takes them quite seriously.
      That's what I love about Japan: the juxtaposition of their westernized, modern culture with their unique, culturally rich history. The country has progressed greatly within their society, especially after the modernization of the Meiji Restoration of the latter half of the nineteenth century, but it's nice that they do not not forget their traditions and find a way to amalgamate their rich past with their promising present.






Bethany J. (Class of 2015)