Japanese tea ceremony

A practice session with Yaiko Heinisch at the Stuttgart Linden Museum It is Saturday afternoon The native Japanese woman teaches the traditional tea ceremony Since 2004 she has been doing it according to the rules of the Omote-Senke School One of the leading schools for Japanese tattooing She traces back to a monk who brought the paste from China to Japan This is green tea ground into the finest powder A tea bowl and an iron water kettle are needed for the ceremony A teapot a tea bamboo spoon and a tea spirit The silk tea cloth is worn by the host on his sash This is the sash that is worn with a kimono The ceremony follows a fixed procedure It varies from season to season In other words a considerable amount of practice is required so that the movements appear harmonious and elegant Just as important is the inner attitude Humility and simplicity are in the foreground It's about focusing entirely on the moment clearing the mind and doing one thing at a time To give each step your full attention Ultimately the purpose is to transfer this attitude into his daily life The tea ceremony is more than just a ritual It is a path to a more conscious life a life in harmony