The main reason I decided to take the program was that I read the book Memoirs of a Geisha, a book steeped in Japanese tradition. In it, the protagonist talks about her life as a geisha and how she had to learn many things to become the most renowned geisha in Gion. One of them was the tea ceremony. It wasn’t one of my goals, but my lack of interest in manga and anime led me to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in 2025.

The ceremony takes place in a seemingly modest tea house with a small door so anyone who wishes to experience it can do so, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
Everyone drinks tea equally, irrespective of whether you are the emperor, a samurai, or an ordinary citizen. This is a sign of honor and peace for those participating in the ceremony. Matcha is a tea leaf that is crushed in its shade and prepared in a bowl with hot water to release its flavors; quick movements are made with the wrist, holding a traditional Japanese hand mixer made of bamboo.

Meditation is one of the most important pillars when preparing tea, as it allows for conscious and integrative development, both for the person preparing it and the person receiving it. This ceremony emphasizes respect, gratitude, and honor as the foundation of the tea-making process. Everything is carefully ceremonial, from when people enter the teahouse to when they are drinking; the person drinking the tea must make a sipping sound to communicate to the person preparing it how much they have enjoyed the infusion. Finally, the meditation extends to appreciating the art on the bowl used to enjoy the tea.

The Japanese are a grateful and respectful culture. They emphasize meditation and beliefs in their traditions. They showed us part of their love for tea and how it is not just an infusion; it is a lifestyle.

– Adriana, SPC Japan Study Abroad Program, May 2025