As part of my elementary school curriculum, I had the opportunity to experience Sado (Japanese tea ceremony). Without any prior knowledge, I lined up with my classmates and stepped into a traditional tea room for the first time. The atmosphere was unlike anything I had encountered before—tense yet deeply dignified. Every movement, from sitting and standing to handling utensils with care, felt deliberate and beautiful. Even as a child, I was captivated by this elegance. When I entered my junior high school, I was eager to join the Urasenke tea ceremony club. On my first day, I watched my seniors perform their hospitality with grace, and I aspired to one day bring the same joy to others through my own practice.
However, a few months into my training, I realized that the tea ceremony was more than the refined gestures I had admired. At its core, it was an art of expressing “gratitude.”
Discovering The Essence of Gratitude
This principle of gratitude is embedded in every aspect of the practice. Guests show appreciation to the artisans by carefully observing the tea bowl’s design and craftsmanship after finishing their tea. The act of haiken (inspection) allows them to acknowledge the thoughtfulness of the host by appreciating the materials and designs of the utensils. Before taking a sip, one expresses gratitude to the host with the phrase “choudai itashimasu” (“I humbly receive”). Even the act of raising the tea bowl slightly before drinking is a gesture of respect. For the host, every movement is executed with precision and grace, ensuring that gratitude is conveyed not just in words, but in action.
Among all these customs, I believe the bow is the most essential. Before I was allowed to handle a tea scoop or tea whisk in my junior high school’s tea room, I spent weeks practicing how to bow properly. Looking back, I feel that only after mastering a beautiful bow did I truly begin to express gratitude within the tea room. Over time, as I took turns both serving and receiving tea, I gained a deeper understanding of how fundamental gratitude is to the practice of Sado.
Bridging Cultures Through Tea Ceremony
My appreciation for this tradition grew even further when I joined the tea ceremony club at my new boarding school, where students come from over 80 countries. Compared to my previous experience in a traditional all-girls school, the contrast was striking. Helping my non-Japanese friends pronounce Japanese phrases and show respect to the instructors was full of challenges. Initially, it was difficult to keep students focused—some would check their phones or chat during lessons. However, as weeks passed, I noticed a transformation. The same students who had struggled to pay attention now practiced with shining eyes, fully engaged in the ritual. Curious about this change, I asked them about their experience. They shared that Sado had made them realize their own lack of gratitude in daily life and that they were drawn to the way the tea ceremony beautifully embodies appreciation. This experience showed me that, even without knowledge of Japanese language or customs, Sado has the power to instill a deep sense of gratitude.
A Lifelong Commitment to Gratitude
Through my journey with Sado, I have come to realize that consistently holding and expressing gratitude enriches the human heart. Unfortunately, our world today is becoming increasingly divided. Yet, for that very reason, we must cherish even the smallest moments and express our appreciation for them. I hope to continue treasuring this beautiful Japanese tradition, which has been passed down from the Kamakura period to the present, and to share its spirit of gratitude with others.
