[Unpad Media Channel] Japanese society is intertwined with their culture surrounding the drinking of tea. Traditional Japanese tea drinking ceremonies, called chanoyu, are popular not only in its native country but also among Japanese culture aficionados around the world.
Within Unpad’s Japanese Studies program, tea drinking ceremonies are held by a group of students which make up Klub Chanoyu. This club is run under the guidance of Japanese Studies lecturer, Dr. Puspa Mirani Kadir, M.A.
Puspa explained that Klub Chanoyu started because of the implementation of a new curriculum by Unpad’s Japanese Studies program in 2019. The study of the tea drinking ceremony was included as a course in the Japanese traditional culture specialization offered to students.
“This aspect of Japanese culture holds deep philosophical meaning. Starting from the name of the tea drinking ceremony, Wa-Kei-Sei-Jaku,” said Puspa.
“Wa” means harmony and peace, “Kei” means to respect one another, “Sei” means pure and clean, and last is “Jaku” meaning peace in one’s heart.
In Unpad’s Faculty of Cultural Science (FIB), chanoyu is held in a Japanese-styled specialized room with tatami floors called a washitsu. This room sits in Unpad FIB’s Japanese Study Center (PSBJ) which was established in 1986.
Aside from being a part of the practice of Japanese traditional culture in the study program, the tea drinking ceremony is routinely held by Klub Chanoyu. This club was established for those with a particular interest in Japanese tea drinking culture.
The chanoyu is also routinely presented on the Japanese Culture and Language Week, also called the Bunkasai. Aside from that, the tea drinking ceremony is also held often when guests visit the Japanese Studies program at Unpad’s FIB.
We usually meet on Wednesdays at the washitsu to train. The results of our training are performed at the Bunkasai event to welcome guests. Sometimes we also hold ceremonies to welcome guests on other occasions.” said Prininta Meisya Rahardjo, a representative from Klub Chanoyu.
Said Prininta, the chanoyu is done as a meditative way to train one’s conscience of their surroundings, attain peace, and hone focus. The conversations within it are also about nature or anything that has to do with the tea itself.
“The chanoyu was done by the samurai to calm themselves and increase focus before combat. Here, we are taught to become one with nature and to let go of things relating to one’s own self,” explained Prininta.
The tea drinking ceremony has strict procedures where efficiency and manners are essential. All participants shall not wear excessive jewelry, perfumes, or makeup. The chanoyu also requires special tools which need to be used neatly.
Currently, eight Klub Chanoyu members under Puspa’s guidance are designing modules about things that need to be studied in this tea drinking ceremony. Prininta wishes that the modules can spread the good values of the chanoyu. (arm)* (ICP)
