Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Accurate proportion

A story about Sen-no-Rikyu that I found by accident in the internet.

Sen no Rikyu, a tea-master, wished to hang a flower basket on a column. He asked a carpenter to help him, directing the man to place it a little higher or lower, to the right or left, until he had found exactly the right spot. “That”s the place,” said Sen no Rikyu finally.
The carpenter, to test the master, marked the spot and then pretended he had forgotten. Was this the place? “Was this the place, perhaps?” the carpenter kept asking, pointing to various places on the column.
But so accurate was the tea-master”s sense of proportion that it was not until the carpenter reached the identical spot again that its location was approved.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
This story can be found in a book entitled Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, a translation of a 13th century work entitled Collection of Stone and Sand.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Introduction to Sen no Rikyu's Hundred Verses (translated by Gretchen Mittwer) part 2

Second poem from Sen no Rikyu's Hundred Verses reads as follows:


Naraitsutsu mitekoso narae narawazu ni 
yoshiashi iu wa oroka narikeri

ならひつつ 見てこそ習へ 習はずに
よしあし いふは愚なりけり 

In the learning process, watch and 
learn; voicing opinions without 
having done this is foolishness.

My insight:

The Way of Tea is the way of purification of mind and heart through humbling oneself. From my own experience I can say that arrogance is rooted in me so deeply, that getting rid of it isn't an easy task. The moment I learned something about Tea and procedures of folding fukusa, purifying natsume and chashaku, immediately I began seeing how other students are doing it. Do they do it correctly, as teacher was teaching, or not... I began comparing myself with them, thinking who is doing better. When I cought myself on thinking like that, I realized that externally I have been "purifying" myself, but the moment I compared or criticized others, I would become corrupted in my heart. Immediately the "dirt" of mundane whould find its way back into my mind. 
I realized that even if I might know something, it doesn't make me better or more advanced than the others. Knowledge that I gain in the Tea Room (as teacher said "Tea training hall") should make me more humble. The more we learn the more we understand how much we don't know. It is trully foolish to voice one's opinion without doing it; but what is even more foolish - to voice the opinion when you HAVE done it. Than it becomes obviouse that this kind of student is missing the point of the Way. 
The question that helps me to "divide" myself before speaking out: "What is my motivation in saying it?" If motivation is self-centered, it will always hurt the person. If motivation is based on love and care, even if it might be hard to hear, the person will be grateful for it, because he/she will feel your heart. 







Third poem:


Kokorozashi fukaki hito ni wa iku-tabi mo
awaremi fukaku oku zo oshiuru

こころざし深き人にはいくたびも
あはれみ深く奥ぞ教ふる

You should many a time compassionately 
impart the inner teachings
to one wha has a deeply willing mind.

My insight:

I have been studying The Way of Tea since 2012 February. During this time I have seen quite many people coming and going to the Tea Room. Also after observing teacher, the way she is conveying knowledge, to whom, I made a conclusion: everyone has different reasons for coming here. Someone studies Japanese culture in Univeristy, others heard that Japanese Tea ceremonies are a high level art and aesthetics, and they would like to learn that because it is prestigious. Others are on the way of search for the things that are most valuable in life. I am sure that all these reasons are valid. Nevertheless, Tea isn't about beauty or art alone. And tea master who takes on students has a great task infront of him/her - to understand everyone's motivation for studying and teach according to student's expectations. 
It might sound a bit harsh, but it reminds me of Jesus' words:

"Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you." Matthew 7:6

I have seen how hard it is for a teacher to explain internal things for those who are interested in external. And I have seen how amazing atmoshpere can be created when student is open-minded, searching for meanings. This spirit naturally creates conditions where teacher is willing to teach more and more, share the deepest secrets. Reason is simple - finally there is someone who can connect with the same heart. 

From my own experience, I remember telling some of my friends, why I study the Way of Tea. They are very good people, but because they are absolutely not interested in it, their reactions to my stories would discourage me from sharing anything at all. "What is a big deal to make a cup of tea?" they would ask, with a bit of a condescending attitude. That would be enough for me to change the topic.   

When something is taking a special part in your heart, you will want to share it only with those who trully understand you and can appreaciate it.




Saturday, January 18, 2014

Tsutsu Chawan

Today at the tea lesson we have been practising Shindaiso soga-chari usucha temae. During this time we have been using special kind of chawan, called Tsutsu chawan. They are very different from the ones we usually use. First of all, they are taller and thiner. It is harder to handle it, so we can use two hands for lifting up or setting it down. And the manner of chakin cleaning, as well as tea whisking is totally different as well. 
Tsutsu chawan is being used only during the winter season, in order to keep warmth of the tea for the guest.

These are the few samples of tsutsu chawan:




Japanese Shino Tsutsu Ceramic Tea Bowl


 

Japanese RAKU ware tea bowl by Shoraku Sasaki; Aka-Raku





 Japanese famous potter TOZAN oribe ware tsutsu-bowl




Black Tsutsu Matcha Bowl

It was interesting to try something new. Learning about utensils, their origins, artists who made them, their value helps to understand how complicated, but at the same time beautiful the world of Tea is.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Japonija Lietuvoje

Dabar norėčiau parekomenduoti porą vietų, susijusių su Japonija ir egzistuojančių Lietuvoje. 
Pirmoji vieta būtų Japonijos Kultūros Namai http://nihon.lt/. Tai yra nuostabi vieta Japoniško tapybos meno tušu sumi-e mokymuisi. Ir ne tik (detalesnė informacija tinklapyje). Dalia Dokšaitė, sumi-e meistrė, yra nuostabus žmogus su begale talentų ir nuostabia aura. Man teko apsilankyti kultūros namuose tik kartą, bet kai grįšiu į Lietuvą, būtinai tapsiu nuolatiniu svečiu. 
Linkiu Jums daugybės žmonių, kurie norėtų paremti Jūsų svajones. Ypatingai Japoniško sodelio įkūrimui.

(Gaila, nenufotografavau daugiau)




Antra, tai Japonų agentūra ``Yukari`` (www.yukari.lt). Jos vadovė - Gabija Kaunelienė. Kadangi pačiai neteko apsilankyti, asmeniniais įspūdžiais pasidalinti negaliu. Bet žinau tai, jog ponia Gabija rengia Japoniškos arbatos ceremonijas, kurias atlieka Raimonda Strazdienė. Visiems, kuriems įdomi Japonijos kultūra, o ypač Zen budizmas, labai rekomenduoju sudalyvauti tokioje ceremonijoje. Dalyvavimas joje kainuoja apie 50 Lt, bet turėti koncepcijų dėl brangumo už arbatos puodelį nederėtų. Japoniškos arbatos ceremonija - tai ne tipiškas mūsų supratimas apie arbatos užplikymą. Anaiptol, tai yra meno ir religijos sintezė, kur visas dėmesys yra sutelktas į šį momentą, kuris daugiau niekada nepasikartos (ichigo ichi). 15-os kartos Didysis Meistras yra pasakęs ``Taika arbatos puodelyje``. Kiekvieną kartą prieš ceremoniją arbatos meistras kaupiasi tam vieninteliam puodeliui, tam vieninteliam žmogui, tam kas yra svarbiausia - pagarba, tyla, tyrumas ir ramybė. 

Sudalyvaukite arbatos ceremonijoje ir pabandykite pažvelgti į tą žalią gėrimą naujomis akimis! Prieš eidami būtinai daugiau pasiskaitykite, kad šis laikas būtų išties vertingas (informacijos anglų kalba daugiau).

Ir paskutinė svetainė, kurią noriu parekomenduoti, yra dedikuota Japoniškam kovos menui kendo (www.kendo.lt). Jį taip pat veda Raimonda Strazdienė, kuri atrado Arbatos kelią būtent per šį sportą. Plačiau galite paskaityti Lietuvos Ryto interviu su ja čia.


Caroline Kennedy and Japan

As you probably know, the daughter of JFK, Caroline Kennedy has been appointed by Barack Obama, as USA ambassador for Japan. Before leaving to her mission country she has been invited to a special Tea Ceremony, introducing Japanese culture. 

Please check the video bellow (click on the link):




The Best video explaining the Way of Tea in English I have ever seen

This is the video discription (text is not mine):


It's often translated as "tea ceremony", but Chado, Chanoyu or the "Way of Tea", is neither a ceremony nor a ritual, but more a celebration of arts (craft, culinary, etc) and philosophy (particular Zen Buddhism).


It originated in China in the 8th century, spread to Japan in the 9th and became an art sometime around the 12th century, but it wasn't until this past century that the way of tea has become accessible (in Japan it can be studied like home ec or in a college club).


The lure may be partly in the brew- tea has always been used for health, but Christy Bartlett of the San Francisco Urasenke Foundation explains that following the form (she compares it to the practice of music) helps one to find intense focus in the moment.
Urasenke Foundation: http://www.urasenke.org/

The video itself is here (press on the title):
The Way of Tea

or watch it directly.

ENJOY!!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

JAPAN WABISABI CONSIDERING FROM RAKU STYLE ~~ Tea bowl between China, Korea and Japan (Ohi Toshio, Japan)

OHI Toshio visited Urasenke branch October 17th. Here you can find his short report about the visit. The artist sits in the middle of the front row. Me, the non-asian face... Just behind our teacher, Kanako Muramatsu.


Thank You, Mr. Ohi, for a wonderful time and nice conversation!!!


The following is a short introduction about lecture that was given in Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale 2013 (GICB 2013), on October 19th, by Ohi Toshio, 11th generation ceramist of OHI tea-ware family.

Lecture


Raku ware was invented in the 16th century in Japan for ritual tea drinking. The Japanese tea ceremony, with its roots in Zen Buddhism, is a kind of meditation with its underlying philosophies of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. The Raku type of tea bowls is characterized by a natural and unpretentious style and earthly colors, which was developed with an intention to enhance the experience of those participating in a tea ceremony. The OHI kiln is the only Raku branch kiln that is left and keeps the tradition until today. OHI Toshio was talking about the history of the Raku Ware and OHI family in the context of the wabisabi culture of Japan. It also gives an introduction to a Raku movement for the new century.




Resume


OHI Toshio is the 11th generation of Ohi tea-ware family, and a multi-talanted artist practicing the family's traditional craft simultaneously as challenging the boundaries of contemporary ceramic art, and expanding expressions in space designing and involving himself in architecture. He received his BA from Tamagawa University, Tokyo in 1981, and MFA from Boston University, Program in Artisanry, Massachusetts in 1984. He participated in the group exhibition titled "Art crafting towards the future (2012)" at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa; and the "2nd International Workshop (2012)" in Giroussens devoted to Raku, France. OHI Toshio received "Good Design Award: from "The 27th Japan Traditional Craft Work Competition" in 2004, and "Kanazawa Cultural Activities Award" from Government-Kanazawa City in 2002.
There is performance on TEDx SEED:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIdKtf90rN0


More about OHI Toshio please read here:
OHI homepage!!!
Onishi gallery
Amber glow from the fires of Ohi

Follow him on twitter:
https://twitter.com/OHITOSHIO