Since moving to Japan, I have studied the Urasenke style of s ado , or chado (Japanese tea ceremony) in Shimane Prefecture . My original goal was simply to learn about the matcha culture of Matsue (Shimane’s capital). Still, the fun of this traditional art and encouragement from my teacher and fellow students have inspired me to learn the Japanese tea ceremony and aim for instructor qualifications.
If you are considering practicing sado while living, working or studying in Japan, here are some insights from my journey to help you get started. Tea Ceremony at a Glance Sado embodies key parts of Japanese culture such as hospitality, appreciating the seasons and treasuring the present moment. In addition to memorizing sets of temae (traditional preparation procedures), sado students learn how to coordinate items such as teaware, flowers and wagashi (Japanese sweets) to create a tea ceremony that evokes the essence of a season’s or occasion’s beauty.
There are dozens of sado styles, including: Other tea traditions—not technically considered sado—exist in Japan, such as sencha green tea temae and black tea temae. To me, sado is like a moving meditation that allows me to step away from a busy day and focus on making matcha. I believe anyone interested in Japan’s traditional culture searching for a way to relax can benefit from sado lessons.
Your Journey to Japanese Tea Ceremony Before you enter the world of sado, there are a few things to know and consider: Finding a Cl.