For my CIP, I took Shakuhachi lessons at a Shakuhachi players house. I met once a week for two hours, learned a few basic songs and performed at the Otsu traditional performing arts center with my sensei as the culminating event.

The shakuhachi is a difficult instrument and you will most likely need to practice at least a little bit out of lessons. However many of the things that makes the shakuhachi difficult are what make a unique and interesting instrument. For example, the position of your head or how much you are covering a hole will change the pitch of a note, which both allows you to go between pitches seamlessly and demands a greater level of precision on your part to play specific pitches.

My biggest worry going into this was that pursuing an instrument in one-on-one setting means I won’t get to learn and experience Japanese culture as I would interacting with a larger group of people via volunteering, but that wasn’t the case. I learned a lot not just about Japanese music concepts , but also about Japanese ways of teaching and learning. The relationship between me and my sensei was much more personal and extended out of lessons in a way that was different from any music tutors I had learned before. I was very much blown away by his kindness

picture Sensei took of me when we visited a temple

I participated in the tea ceremony for my CIP activity, a Japanese cultural practice involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha (powdered green tea). Over the semester, we had eight lessons dedicated to practicing the tea ceremony procedure known as temae.

With just two students participating in the tea ceremony lessons this semester, the two of us were able to have extensive interactions with the teacher both during and after class, fostering constructive communication. In addition to learning the tea ceremony’s techniques, our deep conversations with the teacher provided valuable insights into the philosophy behind the ceremony and the concept of Wabi-sabi, Japan’s nuanced sense of beauty.

I strongly recommend trying out the tea ceremony if you want a quick dive into Japan’s rich cultural heritage within just three months. Fujimura sensei is genuinely warm and approachable. Her teachings not only cover the tea ceremony but also introduce you to Japanese ideology, offering a comprehensive and enjoyable experience. It was a pleasure getting along with her.

For my CIP this semester, I had the pleasure of learning the tea ceremony (茶道) with Fujimura Sensei from the Wabichakai tea ceremony. Under the guidance of Fujimura Sensei, who has almost 20 years of experience with the tea ceremony, we learned the basic steps of a tea ceremony for two hours each week at a serene temple near Kyoto Station or in the tranquil ambiance of a tea room near Takagamine. Our lessons were conducted fully in Japanese and Fujimura Sensei served us some of the best wagashi (Japanese sweets) every lesson. 

One of the most enriching aspects of this journey was Fujimura Sensei’s generosity in sharing not just her knowledge of the tea ceremony, but also her personal insights into Kyoto’s cultural history. Her kindness and patience extended beyond the tea ceremony, preparing and accompanying us to meals where she shared valuable knowledge that enriched our understanding of the city’s essence. 

For anyone interested in learning the tea ceremony, my advice would be to embrace mistakes as part of your learning experience. Whether it be understanding the language, messing up the steps, don’t shy away from asking questions as you will always learn something new from it. I would also say to approach the ceremony with an open heart and a willingness to immerse yourself fully in its tranquility—it’s not just about brewing tea; it’s about embracing a way of life, a cultural philosophy that celebrates harmony, respect, and mindfulness.