Have you enjoyed touring the tea of Aichi Prefecture? We hope you have been able to enjoy and come to know the real pleasure of ''Chanoyu'' throughout your trip.
I've been learning tea ceremony for many years, and I often get asked, "What have you learned after studying for so long?" Sure, you don’t need to study to serve a cup of tea to a customer without fail. But that doesn’t create any connection, it doesn’t last. To go the extra step, you need to make an effort towards that connection. In the tea ceremony, it’s all about the process, the tools, how to match them, and how you prepare the space. The more you learn these aspects, the more conversation will be had, and that’s where the true joy lies. Tea is a form of communication between the host and their guest through the language of the tea room.
Learning about the tools and arrangements means delving into the production areas, crafts, and seasons. With “Chanoyu” guiding you on your journey, you can venture to all kinds of places like ceramics, poetry, and even wildflowers blooming on the roadside. "What if I put a camellia in this flower case ...?" Or "This blue tea bowl would be perfect for my summer collection..." Just imagining these things by themselves will bring excitement.
On the other hand, I think even the most basic act of “tea-making” has a powerful meditative effect. In just 10 minutes, you can make a nice cup of matcha and it will refresh your body and mind. Perhaps by concentrating on tea-making instead of consuming caffeine and sugar, you can step away from the hustle and bustle of the day.
As you can see, the pleasures of Chanoyu can be found in everyday life. All it takes is a little extra awareness. To start, why don’t you try Nishio Matcha at home? You might feel something special after just one cup.