Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

East Carolina U. hosts Japanese tea ceremony presentation
By Lisa Uram
East Carolinian (East Carolina U.)
01/17/2007

(U-WIRE) GREENVILLE, N.C. — On Jan. 11, East Carolina University's Japan Center East, which is committed to strengthening the bond between the U.S. and Japan, held a cultural enrichment event about the traditional tea ceremonies that have been performed for centuries in Japan.

The objective of the demonstration was to allow people to better understand a culture that immerses itself into our society.

"Japanese companies have a large economic impact in our community," said Chikako Massey, interim director of Japan Center East.

Currently there are over 150 Japanese companies in North Carolina alone and they provide around 700 jobs in Pitt County, N.C.

The event began with a brief discussion on the history of the beautiful ritual that was started by a Japanese monk in the 12th century. As the popularity of tea drinking grew, the Japanese began learning how to cultivate and prepare it locally.

"These teas are the embodiment of Zen," said Massey. "They have no comparison to those you are used to in the local restaurants."

Massey, who was dressed in a kimono inherited from her family, also wore a traditional zori, a type of thong-like footwear with split-toe socks called tabi. Roughly 35 people of all ages in attendance joined Massey in the demonstration of the movements that would be used during the ceremony.

Although music isn't typically used during tea ceremonies, light Japanese flute music played in the background to help set the ambiance in the room.

Rie Ishida, a licensed chef from Japan, who was also dressed in traditional attire, assisted Massey in performing the complete ceremony. Donna Whitley, who teaches belly dancing in Greenville, volunteered to join in the performance as well.

According to Whitley, she came to the event because of her interest in traveling and different cultures.

"I thought that the event would be interesting and educational," said Whitley. "I was a little nervous volunteering, but it was fun."

After the completion of the ceremony, attendees sampled green tea, wheat tea, brown rice tea, and sea weed tea. They were also able to touch the dogu (tools) used during the ceremony and discuss any questions they had with Massey.

Japan Center East will hold an information session on Jan. 25 about the trip to Japan they will be leading on May 14. The trip will include visits to Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. For more information on this event and other upcoming events hosted by Japan Center East, please visit ecu.edu/japancentereast/.

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