I don’t even like tea...but I simply HAD to do a traditional Japanese tea ceremony! I just had to hope that the tea wasn’t too bad... The only thing I knew about the process, I had learned from an episode of America’s Next Top Model, but this was enough to raise my interest. The detail and intricate movements involved are fascinating and Fumi was the perfect teacher to help me understand more about it.

After removing our shoes (don’t wear pink socks with black tights)we began the morning by telling each other about ourselves while drinking salted water, complete with edible cherry blossom (so far so good on the drinks count). Fumi then gestured for us to step onto the raised platform that was the tea room. The green edged tatami matting underfoot was so smooth Fumi practically glided across it with her delicate footsteps. Despite knowing that I probably wouldn’t last long, a wanting to be as authentic as possible and intended to sit in the traditional way with my legs tucked straight underneath. Luckily, for those not used to this way of sitting, a cushion is provided to take the pressure off your legs. This was a welcomed relief!

Fumi began, in her excellent English, by teaching us about the history of ‘The Way of Tea’, as she put it, and explained some of the aspects of the room itself. We then began the process that any guest at a tea ceremony would go through, passing from their everyday world to the world of the tea room. After showing us the steps we were asked if we would like to try it ourselves. However, at no point did Fumi make us feel pressured into doing so. It was always a comfortable and calm environment.

She then showed us how to start the coals burning in order to boil the water in the great kettle. This was done in a sunken hearth near the middle of the room. We were even given the opportunity to pick up the coals ourselves with the long metal chopsticks and arrange them around the already glowing coals.

Fumi informed us that we would be trying two teas (this worried me a little), however that also meant two sweets (this excited me). The sweet is always served before the tea is made so as we waited for the water to boil Fumi presented us with the most unusual plate of food. Not being at all accustomed to Japanese sweets I find it hard to describe it’s texture and flavour, but I recall bean paste being mentioned and the fact that it’s shape represented a butterfly. Although rather chewy, it was quite nice.

When the water had boiled the intricacies of the tea making process began. I watched carefully knowing that I would be given the opportunity to try it myself, but the steps are so numerous! (Fumi gently leads you through it though, complimenting your efforts like any good host.) The colour of the tea was quite alarming. I had expected my ‘green’ tea to look more like someone had put a drop of food colouring in the water with some leaves at the bottom for good measure. I was SO wrong! It was such a deep green you couldn’t see the bottom of the cup and the taste wasn’t to my liking, but as I mentioned above I’m not a fan of tea. My partner in the tea ceremony on the other hand did enjoy the flavour.

Soon we were onto our second sweet. We were presented with a plate of delicate looking jelly like lollies in the shape of butterflies and cherry blossoms and one powered sugar lolly, made to look like a pond, which was similar to those ‘kiss me’ or ‘I love you’ lollies we all ate as children. Again the sweets didn’t disappoint.

After trying the second tea (I personally couldn’t taste any difference) we were able to make a cup for each other. I hope you liked it Kavin!
This was yet another fantastic experience organised by FindJPN which I found to be eye opening, informative and most enjoyable. Thanks you Fumi and the FindJPN team!