Last Friday, students enjoyed learning about an authentic Japanese Tea, that was presented by Yoko Tanaka. It was really awesome! Mrs. Tanaka was dressed in a spring kimono, and explained to the students about where a tea is held, why it is held, and the meanings behind the tea. Students learned about Tea Houses in Japan. How it is a very personal experience, to be invited to tea by a friend and to the guest. Tea partakers are dressed appropriately and nothing from the outside world is brought into the tea world. The tea ceremony itself is very precise and deliberately enacted. After her talk and tea ceremony, Mrs. Tanaka had the students each grab a partner and they served “tea” to their guest. (Students got to first be “host/hostess” and then they switched roles and became the “guest”.) The food for the event consisted of a rice ball, a shrimp on layered egg, a sliced carrot with a snow pea on top! Before you have your tea, you are served a couple of sweets (cookies) and that makes your tea more enjoyable!
The students were so interested in learning to be a host/guest and really got into their roles. Comments even consisted of “my son hates carrots but loved yours…how did you make them?” Another mother asked, “Where did you buy your tea, my daughter loved it!” The parents and students alike really were impressed with the whole event!
submitted by Cathy
Julia’s note: Ms. Tanaka’s power point presentation was left out of the program. I can email to anyone who requests. Additionally, we plan to have a flickr photo pool, as we did with the Knights program. Invitation only for those families attending and the presenting entities.
