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Mon. Nov. 21. 2022Field trip to Urasenke

On November 16, the disciplinary course “Exploring the World of Japanese Cuisine” visited Urasenke.

Dinh Shawn (KCJS34, Harvard University) shared the experiences:
The field trip to Urasenke was an enriching experience, one unlike any I have had before. Prior to this trip, I had always felt that the tea ceremony was exactly what its name implied: a formal ceremony. However, from my visit to urasenke and the presentation I saw, I learned about the true beauty of the tradition, its significance, as well as its true name: chadō – the way of tea. This is a far better name, as it shows that chadō is not just an event to be admired, but a path to teach all of us how to be mindful and aware of our surroundings, lives, and the beauty housed within them.

The demonstration of chadō followed by my own participation in preparing matcha and tasting the traditional Japanese sweets was amazing. Although I struggled a bit to properly stir the matcha and divvy up the Japanese sweet, the instructor encouraged me to just appreciate the food and be present in the moment. As such, I was able to see and participate in chadō first-hand alongside my fellow classmates in a welcoming environment, free to learn and enjoy the moment at my own pace. The trip to Urasenke was an invaluable and memorable experience filled with beauty, calm, and delicious sweets and tea.

裏千家の皆様、この度は貴重な機会を下さりありがとうございました。
学生達にとって、茶道について楽しく学びを深めることができ、留学生活で大切な思い出の１ページとなりました。今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。