It's midsummer, the sound of cicadas filling your ears and the sun reflecting off the dazzling white cobblestones. The sun is scorching, even the wind is warm, and just going outside makes your skin sweat. We all probably feel the need to rely on cold drinks and air conditioning.
However, in the world of tea ceremony, there is wisdom in accepting such seasons and quietly creating coolness. It's not flashy, but it penetrates deep into your heart. A quiet and gentle coolness.
As part of ZENLAB's activities, we have a tea ceremony class called **Suzakuken**. While cherishing that feeling, Every day, I learn seasonal behavior and how to prepare my mind.
This happened during a practice session in the middle of summer. One student, holding a steaming bowl of rice, suddenly blurted out:
"A cup of hot tea on a hot day is like a gentle cool breeze deep in your soul—it's a comforting feeling."
Everyone in the room instinctively nodded in agreement at this voice. Certainly, it's in places that cold things can't reach, The warmth gently touches you and softly relaxes your heart. Perhaps we all know this feeling at some point.
In summer tea ceremonies, the way of preparing the tea and choosing the utensils themselves are It is full of ingenious ways to express this "quiet coolness."
For example, for thin tea, a flat bowl is used, which feels cool to the touch in the palm of the hand. Its wide and shallow shape draws in the wind, It also casts a cool looking shadow.
For thick tea, glass tea caddies and bowls may be chosen. The way it sparkles in the sunlight is like a ray of light shining on the water. Just having it there brings a sense of freshness to the space.
And another essential item for summer decor is, A flat water jar filled with plenty of water. The calm waters are not just decorative.
In lessons, when the water in the kettle gets too hot, From there, you will learn how to scoop a scoop of water and add it to the hot water.
The bamboo of the ladle touches the palm of your hand. The sound of water gently falling onto the surface of the water and then puffing back up from the bottom of the kettle. In that moment, you can sense the signs of the season, the atmosphere of the place, and You will develop the ability to discern what is just right.
--Not too hot, not too cold, just right.
In that scoop, It is filled with wisdom for living in harmony with the seasons.
This feeling is also applicable outside of the tea ceremony. For example, open the windows in the morning to let in some fresh air, Summer fruits served in glassware, Find a chair in the shade and quietly open a book. None of this is a big deal, but It's a way to create a comfortable arrangement without overdoing it and accepting what's lacking.
And this "just right" also applies to relationships with people.
In the height of summer, the heat can easily make you feel uneasy. Even when you find yourself using strong words, Like pouring a scoop of water from a water jar into a kettle, By speaking with kindness and space, The relationship will naturally improve.
At Suzakuken, we don't just learn etiquette, The seasonal wisdom contained in the tea ceremony and the aesthetic sense that is applicable to everyday life are I would like this to be a place where we can carefully convey each and every detail.
Please enjoy this midsummer. To find the coolness in your eyes, hands, and tea itself, Please feel free to drop by ZENLAB's tea ceremony studio, "Suzakuken."
