When I returned to Japan to establish my own tea room, my primary focus was on hosting as many formal tea gatherings, or chaji, as possible. Chaji is the culmination of regular tea lessons, offering a profound, immersive experience that deepens one's understanding of the way of tea. In the tea world, we have a saying: 茶事千回 (chaji senkai), which means one must experience chaji a thousand times to truly grasp the essence of tea.
My teacher offered chaji practice sessions, but in my view, these practices fell short. A true chaji should not be approached as just another lesson; it should be treated with full dedication, like an important challenge. During chaji, you’re confronted with both your weaknesses and the skills you need to improve, giving you valuable insights and setting goals for your regular lessons. If a teacher never conducts chaji, I believe they may lack a fundamental quality of a good tea teacher.
With this in mind, I formed a chaji study group with two local Omotesenke members whose teacher, unfortunately, has never hosted a chaji. For our first session, I took on the role of host, and they truly enjoyed the experience.
Purpose of the Study Group
Experiencing chaji firsthand is essential. The aim of this study group is to engage in authentic chaji, with each member taking turns as host, main guest, and supporting guest to experience each role fully. Deciding on a kaiseki menu, selecting cherished utensils from storage, or ordering special sweets adds a modern touch. But at the heart of chaji is the act of serving tea. Overemphasizing these secondary elements can make chaji feel remote or complicated. Let’s rediscover the joy of tea by making chaji a more accessible and enjoyable part of our lives.
Study Group Enrollment (Open to All Schools)
Applicants should either hold a kazarimono (ornamental tea utensil) license and continue lessons elsewhere or intend to resume regular practice.
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