茶道
Chanoyu—Japanese Tea Ceremony
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By Teri Mitchell | Published May 2006
 As seen within Rikyu’s ‘Seven Principles’,
Chanoyu concerns the creation of the proper
setting for that moment of enjoyment of a perfect
bowl of tea. Everything that goes into that
serving of tea, even the quality of the air and
the space where it is served, becomes a part of
its fl avor. The perfect tea must therefore capture
the fl avor of the moment — the spirit of
the season, of the occasion, of the time and the
place. Tea Ceremony is where this takes
place, and where Chanoyu unfolds
as an exquisite, singular
moment in time shared by
the participants.
The enduring allure
of Chanoyu is proof of
its profound meaning for
people — not only Japanese,
but people of all cultures.
Having been nurtured on
Japanese soil, it represents the quintessence
of Japanese aesthetics and culture. But,
beyond this, people far and wide have discovered
that life is beautifi ed by this Way — by
the spirit that guides its practice, as well as by
the objects which express that spirit and are an
integral part of its practice.
The underlying components of this philosophy
are the Art of Living is Harmony, Respect,
Purity, and Tranquility. These are universal
principles that fraught with unrest, friction,
self-centeredness, and other such social ailments,
can guide us toward the realization of
genuine peace.
(To be continued…)
書道
Shodo—Japanese Calligraphy
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Onono Tofu 小野道風
Ａkihagi-jo 秋荻帖 by Onono Tofu
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As an evolution of the 9th century’s
Shodo, the 10th century was the golden age
of original Japanese style. Onono Tofu, Fujiwarano
Sari, and Fujiwarano Kozei were
the three outstanding calligraphers, known
as Sanseki. “Kana” was created from Kanji
(known as Chinese letters), and in the Court,
ladies wrote poems (known as “Waka”) using
Kana. Kanji was called Male Hand (Man’s
writing) and Kana was called Female Hand
(Women’s writing) because it was common
that men used Kanji and women used Kana.
This age produced many master-hands of the
original Japanese letters “Kana”, and many
pieces of Kana artworks were produced.
The magnifi cent writing style of Kana
birthed beautiful paper productions. The
papermaking brought from China was contrived
and produced different types of paper
with original Japanese designs.
(To be continued…)
 Teri
Mitchell, Shoji is a Shodo artist from Yokohama, JAPAN. She
gives private Lessons in Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), Nihongo
(Japanese language) and Japanese cooking in the NW Orlando
area, also performs Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony).
email: teri_mitchell@hotmail.com |
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