Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration held at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad

The Embassy of Japan organized a live demonstration of Chanoyu or Sado (Japanese Tea Ceremony) here at the residence of Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan on Thursday 11^th May 2017 to acquaint the Pakistani people with yet another important facet of Japanese culture and its civilization which is very unique and traditional. H.E. Mr. Takashi Kurai and Madam Kurai warmly welcomed the guests at their residence before the start of tea ceremony.

This year marks the 65^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan and today’s cultural event is in continuation of a variety of programs that the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad has planned to hold throughout the year.
 The Japanese Tea Ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea and the art of its performance is called temae.

Wearing traditional Japanese dress kimono, Japanese ladies skillfully demonstrated the Japanese tea ceremony which was deeply appreciated by the people present at the occasion.

Ambassador Takashi Kurai while welcoming the guests at the ceremony said Japanese tea ceremony is a very traditional and unique cultural aspect of Japan. He said the act of preparing and drinking the powered green tea is an art which requires many years of study to master. The whole process is not just drinking about tea, but is about aesthetic of preparing and serving a bowl of tea from one’s heart, added the Ambassador.

Elaborating further, Ambassador Kurai said that the traditional Japanese tea ceremony is more than just enjoying tea; it is a spiritual experience that you would be reminded to respect others, to feel harmony and purify yourself in the tranquility. (End)