<< Report on �gThe Japanese Tea Ceremony >>

Shukhrat

One of the wonderful cultural programs organized by UMEX was �gThe Japanese Tea Ceremony�h which took place in Koide on September 4, 2003. The students who participated in this event had very great opportunity to see and feel one of Japan�fs cultural traditions in place. We started the ceremony from the tsukubai (stone basin), which was set among low stones with fresh water. Taking a ladle of water we purified our hands and mouth than we entered the teahouse. Inside the room we didn�ft see any decorations except for an alcove. Hanging in the alcove was a kakejiku (scroll painting), carefully selected by the host, which revealed the theme of the ceremony. The ceremony itself consisted of many rituals that had to be learned by heart. Almost each hand movement was prescribed. The tea was first prepared by the host, and then drunken by the guests. During the ceremony we also saw the way how the tea was prepared and by its end the host kindly showed and explained us the main tea utensils. At the conclusion, we expressed our appreciation for the tea and admiration for the art of the host.