 Japanese
Art (1)
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This subject will come up once in a while. It happens every time I see
really wonderful things that impress me.
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The tea ceremony is one art form that really pleases me and which I
enjoy watching as well as drinking the tea. Many people say the tea is
too bitter, but I advise them that they must appreciate the beauty of
the ceremony and the mood where everyone is the same and enjoying each
other's company. My wife is practicing it every week and has her teacher's
certificate. She is very shy, though, like me, and would rather practice
with her friends than teach.
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Matsue is rather famous for the tea ceremony since the seventh Lord
of Matsue Castle, Fumaiko Matsudaira, loved the tea ceremony and did much
to advance it here. He had two tea houses built. The first, Meimei-An
was built in 1779. It was rebuilt at its present site in 1966. That is
why it looks so new. Its present location also gives a fine view of Matsue
Castle. The second tea house Kanden-An was built in 1792. The approach
to Kanden-An is lovely. It goes through woods and bamboo groves that give
a mood of silence and thoughtfulness.
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I have many friends who practice the tea ceremony and it affects their
daily lives by making them more gentle and ladylike. In the United States,
we used to do sewing and music for the same reasons. Of course, there
are also ladies who study AIKIDO, JUDO, and even KENDO. This doesn't make
them ladylike, but it sure makes them confident. Why not learn both tea
and KENDO? Then you can be a strong lady.
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