The Meiji University International Student Center holds events to experience Japanese culture, with the goal of having overseas students familiarize themselves with the culture of Japan and deepen their friendships.

On May 25, we held an event to experience tea ceremony at the Surugadai Campus jointly hosted by Meiji University Shimei Club and over thirty overseas students attended.

The program began with the President of the Shimei Club explaining the history of tea ceremony, and Cha no Kokoro, or the spirit of tea. All the students listened attentively, then had their very first tea ceremony experience while struggling with unfamiliar utensils and mannerisms. For one hour, amid a warm, friendly atmosphere, they studied the spirit of tea, of “respecting others with the spirit of harmony.”

A student from South Korea who took part in the program said, “When the teacher showed us the procedure for making tea, it looked quite easy to do. But when I actually tried it out myself, I found that moving the tea ceremony utensils the right way was difficult. I’ve always loved Japanese tea, so I want to try out again if I have a chance.”