Tradition
I've been meaning to share these images for a year now. They were taken whilst on holiday visiting my brother, sister in-law and nephew, @mrbonkers, in the far north of Australia. I was asked to take some for use on my sister in-law's social media and website and the bonus was I got to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
It was my first one and was hoping for some great tea but it wasn't as tasty as Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea; it's made from ground matcha green tea leaves, and whilst not the best I've tasted, it was reasonable...and there was Japanese cookies too, so I was happy enough.
My sister in law is full Japanese, as is her friend, so it was all pretty authentic although I'd not know if it wasn't I guess.
They run a business doing kimono tea ceremonies and focus on keeping it very traditional and true to form including the kimonos which are made from silk, as opposed to the yukuta which are usually cotton. The kimonos are super costly items and take a long time to put on - I wasn't there for the dressing part of course - and seeing the tail end of the process one get's an idea of how complex it can be.
The tea ceremony was all quite solemn and formal as you'd expect from a Japanese ceremony with very precise and deliberate movements throughout; it's rather cool actually. Traditionally the ceremony is all about inner peace and a bonding process between host and guest and in true Japanese style it is taken very seriously.
Anyway, here's some of the images. I've also added two collages to this post just to fit in a few more images without making it a long-winded post. I know people's scrolling fingers fatigue easily. Hopefully the community moderators don't mute me for it.
Have you ever experienced a traditional Japanese tea ceremony? Let me know in the comments if you have, or simply feel free to comment as you please.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Every image in this post was photographed by me.
Samsung S22 Ultra was used to capture these images.
I have heard about the tea but I haven't taste it before
It may not be available in your area however, if you want to give it a try take a look around and see if you can find some.
Am not sure if it is in Nigeria anyways
The photographs immediately drew me in. I've always liked Japanese culture. It's like a distant oriental fairy tale. In Kyiv, the Japanese embassy organized a center for Japanese culture and I wanted to visit it regularly, but so far the war has disrupted my plans.
I like tea ceremonies. Although I'm not too versed in tea ... Perhaps the English Breakfast is what suits me completely. But this is a beautiful and original action.
It's an amazing culture and one I've gotten to explore more since having a Japanese sister in-law.
Australia fought a brutal campaign against Japan in World War Two, a battle that if lost would have cost us our country. My father lived in Japanese-occupied Malaya during the war after the British and Australians were defeated there...I've written about what that meant for him, the brutality, death, hunger and fear of living under Japanese occupation. It was a terrible time and being very interested in History I understand what Japan's part in it was very well.
Having said that, they have a fascinating culture, a strict code of honour (which I like), rich (if often brutal) history and many other things that interest me greatly, their sense of tradition among those.
Maybe you'll get to experience some Japanese culture at some stage...I'm looking forward to going there someday with the plan to go with my brother and sister in-law for an experience that is more local than tourist oriented.
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.
Some great snaps there, but what a palaver!
kettle on
tea bag in the mug
drop of milk
pour on boiling water
stew
drink
done
Thank you
Yeah it's a tad more involved than most of us are used to, but good to watch how it's done. A person would not want to be thirsty as there's a wait involved. I enjoyed watching the process...and we all went to the pub after and had a great meal. Good times.
The word PUB would certainly help in a situation like that, but fuck me imagine all that malarkey if you were waiting for a beer?
There might be a riot if beer drinkers in Australia (or anywhere probably) were made to wait that long for their beer. Fortunately they're not.
Riots without a doubt!!
I've never participated in a ceremony like this. I know it's a big deal for them and have seen a few in tv, but never in real life. I would taste that tea and whatever they are serving.
It was a very nice experience, so formal and strict in form. my sister in-law and her friend take is very seriously, as is expected in a ceremony like this. The biscuits served are really tasty, not very sweet as that's not the Japanese way generally, and a really nice compliment to the tea. I didn't mind the tea, it wasn't bad, just different to what I'm used to.
The whole thing was really fun and it was great to see it from start to finish (except most of the dressing part of course.)
Later, we went to the pub, (the sailing club), for dinner and the two kimono-clad ladies drew some attention as they didn't change. It was pretty cool really, the whole thing. I hope you have the chance to get involved with one, and if not, I'm sure you can find that powdered green tea somewhere and give it a try. Apparently, it's best to steer clear of the cheaper stuff.
I can find powdered green tea everywhere these days, but you can imagine I can't do what they do, so my tea will be different.
However, one day I'm sure there will be a chance to participate in an event like this. It's part of their culture, so they take it everywhere they go.
Yeah, I suppose there's that element; it might be best to wait until you can experience the real thing.
I never went to Japan that's why i never experienced their tea ceremony, but your pictures give a proof that it's a good ceremony 😃 and being a tea lover i would wanna go there too
I've not been there either, as mentioned in this post, it occurred in the far north of Australia. Anyway, maybe you'll travel to Japan sometimes and will have the chance to experience a traditional tea ceremony.
Yes maybe one day I'll get a chance
You captured the moments really well in these pics. I like traditions like this, but I think the majority of the relevance is lost on people that don't come from that kind of culture. I think it's beautiful that something so simple can be deemed so special and made into a tradition that is an art. They seem to put a lot of focus into the finer things.
Arigato gozaimasu!
I agree that the process (and reasons for it) are probably lost on most who have not been raised with it. It's somewhat of an artform really, and doing it well (precisely) is important to them. Japanese are like that with many things.
It was a good experience and I'll do it again for sure...but for now it's earl grey, English breakfast and a few others...No ceremony.
Many of these traditions are mostly found in the Asian part of the world, I have only seen these things in movies and doubt if there is anywhere country where such a thing is practiced.
The ceremony looks cool and I can feel the calmness even from the shots.
Did you eat those cookies with chopsticks as well? After several practices, I still can't use two pencils to pick something.
Yeah, the Japanese tea ceremony is found in Japan, and other such places where Japanese people are, like here in Australia.
I use chopsticks when I eat most Asian food, it just feels like the right thing to do, but it takes some practice. I'm a knife, fork and spoon guy, being Australian and all, but eating with choppy's can be fun. It's no fun if you don't know how to do it though, it makes eat difficult.
It is truly no fun when one doesn't know how to use the chopstick, I envy those who use it very well.
Lol...don't worry mate, I've had my troubles in the past learning how to use them. persistence is the key. I'm pretty good at it now.
I will just keep trying and probably might make a fun video of myself on hive when I am eventually good at it.
Happy new week sire... Cheers.
Great idea!
An ancient tradition captured in excellent photographs that show the detail and quality of this culture.
Excellent @galenkp!❤️
Oh thanks, I was pretty happy with the photos and the tea ceretwas cool too. Good times.
Have a great Sunday!
I did, went to a medieval fair. I'll post about it during the week. Now, bed time.
Have a good Sunday.
I want to see that already! Ah no it's midnight there, have a good rest!
I have never experienced a Japanese Traditional Ceremony which made reading this fun coupled with the fact that the pictures are very clear that it seemed I was there. Only that... I couldn't get a hold of the cookies shown. I am hurt😣.
Haha, yeah those cookies are long gone. I only had one though.
Ok, two.
Or three.
Let's just call it four.
Five.
Let's make it a million. I can't believe you ate it all.😭😭😭. I mean, I believe.😣
No... I never have.
Like some others say, I am aware of such things, but have only seen anything like it on television. It was still fun to look at your photos.
It's a pretty cool thing...I'd not want to go down that track every time I want a cup of tea though. 😋
It is !
...and heck no ! I don't have THAT kind of patience.
No, I have never experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. In fact, it's a first time I am hearing about it.
This picture is the best picture in my opinion and it's very lovely one😍.
Thanks, I like that picture too.
Yes, I have experienced a Japanese tea ceremonies by living vicariously through TV characters. It isn't the same thing, of course. 😄
The mods may only mute you for displaying intimidating photographs.
I'm curious. What camera did you use for these ones?
Oh yeah, TV isn't the same, if you get the chance do it in real life.
As the post says right at the end... Samsung S22 Ultra. (My phone)
That's right my friend
I never attended the ceremony but I knew her.
It must have been a wonderful experience, I love tea even if I prefer coffee, then there were biscuits so what more could you want?
Really beautiful photographs, they convey the experience made, but You are very good at taking photos 😉
It's a pretty good experience to have although I'd not want to wait that long for every cup of tea I have! Lol.
Yes, I witnessed one while living in Japan sometime back, but did not participate. I do like matcha green tea, although the matcha ice cream soft serve style is fantastically delicious! Probably my #1 choice for ice cream.
I've not tried matcha ice cream but I'll probably like it because, in my opinion, there's not a bad ice cream, just some that are better than others. 😊
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I've always seen these ceremonies only on television, or some anime series, but I like the solemnity with which they do it, I'd like to be part of something like that, live that experience, including wearing a kimono, if it's hard to put on that outfit, I'm patient 😊
It's worth getting involved with one,just for the cultural experience I think, and to understand a little more about the tradition, purpose and meaning. I hope you get to try it out sometime.
What an incredible experience!!!!! And how cool that you have family which introduce you to such traditional customs!
matcha green tea leaves are amazing, and I would take them over a boxed tea any day! (in my opinion anyway) so I cannot share that view, lolz! I sometimes add mint and lemon though, so breaking traditions and customs - well, rules are made to be broken, right?!
YESSSS!!! I love this about their culture. It brings purpose to even the simplest of actions. A noteworthy lesson for us westerners.
Indeed. And breaking rules often comes with repercussions.
yup! 👍
Whoa, sorry I missed this post. I've been waiting for you to post them. In the future feel free to tag me if you post anything Japan related.
Anyway, I loved all your photos and your write up. I'm impressed by the tatami as well. Even in Japan tatami mats are super expensive. I can't imagine how much more they are to import them into another country.
I love tea ceremony. I may have mentioned this to you before. One of my students several years ago was a tea master and she would lead group tea ceremonies at a tea house near the castle. She invited me every week so I got to experience it quite often. Always an amazing experience.
I also used to buy matcha powder and make my own every morning. It is a wonderful drink. More healthy than coffee with about the same level of caffeine. I had to stop doing it because good matcha is very expensive and I needed the money to pay for kids and more essential stuff.
Anyway, wonderful photos! I'm glad to see your sister-in-law is doing a good job spreading the culture.
My sister in-law was very specific about the matcha powder and said there's cheaper versions but she'd never use them. I liked the tea and I think all the ceremony and formality around it adds to it, making it more special.
The Tatami...yeah, and the room itself. The property she holds the tea ceremonies at is owned by a notable Japanese person who lives in Japan and never comes there. My sister in-law has permission to use it and the room has been designed especially for tea ceremonies and other things. The entire property (it's very big) is designed around the Japanese culture and design features, the buildings and gardens, and there's a big function facility there also, plus a very large home that the owner uses if he ever goes there, which he doesn't very often.
She's fortunate to have the access although, her family are extremely well-connected in Japan so maybe it's not at all surprising they have such opportunities.
It was all rather good to be honest, and something we'll do again.
Ahh so there is a wealthy patron of sorts. That's really cool he is willing to give her the opportunity to use the place.
Your comment about matcha is funny, because I thought similar when I first came here 16-17 years ago. I tried matcha and thought... eh... it's like drinking grass. Not strong as coffee, no hints of fruitiness like Earl Grey, but boring grass. But over the years my taste has adjusted and I now prefer the taste of green tea and matcha.
Did you sit in seiza (Japanese style, sitting on the ankles, legs folded under you) or did they have chairs?
If I sat in seiza I'd still be there, years of doing things my back and knees shouldn't have been doing have taken their toll. Lol.
It's interesting how tastes change, and how we acquire them. There's many things I never thought I'd eat and drink which I enjoy now. I guess that's one of the benefits of the passing of time and having the ability to try things before discarding them as undesirable.