It all began with a shoe on the wall. A shoe on the wall shouldn't be there at all.

The view of the garden from the tatami room at JCMU.

The teachers show us how a tea ceremony works.

Friday I got to see and participate in a tea ceremony. The ceremony involves one person making matcha (a powdered form of tea) and presenting it to others. The tea is also accompanied with some sort of sweet. The process is very structure. There is a place for every item and a certain way to use each item. First we got to watch how it was done. One woman would sit there while the other made and brought her tea.

After watching them perform the ceremony, we got to be the guests and were given sweets and tea to drink. The sweets get passed down the line. After you finish the sweets you are able to drink the tea (but until you finish the sweet). After picking up the cup, you have to hold it in your left hand and turn it clockwise two times so that the Shomen (the design on the cup) faces outward. When finished drinking you must always wipe the rim. During the entire ceremony you are suppose sit proper on your knees. I'll admit my legs cramped up; I couldn't sit like that the entire time. One student asked the women if their legs hurt to which she replied they always hurt. She also gave a warning to us as we got up to watch out.

When receiving your tea you must bow to the host serving you.