Cherry Blossom Japanese Tea Ceremony Invites People to Taste Japanese Tea

On March 11^th, Soochow University 117^th anniversary, behind the university's emblem wall, the Japanese Tea Ceremony Club held the “Cherry Blossom Japanese Tea Ceremony,” inviting faculty, staff, students, and guests to taste Japanese tea and Ichigo Daifuku (Japanese dessert). Club members demonstrated and explained the meaning of every step of the ceremony. The ceremony might look simple and easy, but it took the club members months of practice to master it. The ceremony not only helps people stay calm and develop inner peace, but also demonstrates Japanese people's hospitality.

As the first Japanese Tea Ceremony Club in Taiwan, the Club has held the Japanese Tea Ceremony for almost 20 years. Traditionally, Japanese people hold the tea ceremony indoors with only a few close friends, However, in order for faculty, staff, students, and guests to all have a chance to participate in the tea ceremony, the Japanese Tea Ceremony Club has held the ceremony outdoors, bringing the indoor setting such as cherry blossoms, Tatami, red cloth on the seats, and calligraphy works onto a public stage.

Ms. Wu, the Japanese Tea Ceremony Club advisor, said, "Although many Taiwanese people are interested in the Japanese tea ceremony, they do not quite understand the culture behind it. In Taiwan, it is not common to see people holding the Japanese tea ceremony , because it requires a variety of exquisite utensils such as teacups and teapots. As a result, only a tea master is able to hold the Japanese tea ceremony." The Japanese Tea Ceremony Club hopes to help students learn more about the Japanese tea ceremony and appreciate the beauty of Japanese tea culture by holding the tea ceremony regularly.