My (Kylee) most recent adventure was an outing I took with about 8 of the other wives in Stephen's squadron to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. We all took the train to Yokohama, which is a nearby big city comparable to Tokyo, and made our way up to the 67th floor of Yokohama Landmark Tower. It is the tallest building in all of Japan!
As we entered the tea hall, we walked along a set of stones which really did require a bit of balance. Walking on the individual stones is meant to force your body and mind to begin to slow down in preparation for the ceremony. We then each took turns cleansing our hands and face at a natural spring just outside the tea room. My dancers eye took note of every specific thing the Japanese woman did so that I would do it just right. First, she lifted the ladle with her right hand and scooped the water to pour on her left hand, switched hands and rinsed her right hand. She then scooped water into the ladle again, rinsed her left hand again, switched hands but then used the remaining water to rinse her mouth. If there was any remaining water, it was poured out by bringing the ladle toward her chest. This may sound unnecessarily detailed but everything she did was planned and done to perfection so therefore I did my best to perform perfectly as well.
After removing our shoes, we entered the actual tea ceremony room and sat on our knees for the remainder of the ceremony; about one hour. My legs were totally dead! The Japanese woman brought out to each of us a light meal of rice sugar cookies in the shape of a bird and flower and a potato puree with bean paste that was shaped like a plant. When handing these to us, the woman carefully bent to her knees, placed the plate in front and then bowed with her hands in the shape of a triangle on the ground in front of her knees. Again, my eye caught all these details and did exactly as she did. I found it completely fascinating and rewarding.
The actual making of the tea is also extremely lengthy and detailed so I will not bore you with that but I will say what a perfect glimpse into the Japanese culture it was. The four principles of the tea ceremony are harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Everything from the foot that enters the room first, to the number of sips in which the tea is consumed, is intentional. I saw how there was a right way to do every move, the honor that comes from performing correctly and the devotion that was at the center of this art. To quote the teacher, "The principal underlying the art of tea ceremony is the discipline of ourselves to achieve quiet taste and modesty, giving up luxury and arrogance. With this spirit, the host and the guest blend harmoniously to take part in the ceremony."
There was a moment during the ceremony in which I had a reality check. I suddenly realized how incredibly blessed I was to have the amazing opportunity to witness a part of history. I cannot thank God enough for His blessings.
