Tea offering to the gods at Ise-jingu Shrine 伊勢神宮献茶式

I went to "Ise-jingu 伊勢神宮 Shrine" (Ise Grand Shrine) for the first time to attend the "Kencha-shiki 献茶式" (a ceremony of tea offering to the gods) by our "Iemoto 家元" (master) of our Sencha-do school.

Ise-jingu is considered the most sacred Shinto shrine and home of the Japanese as it worships "Amaterasu Omikami 天照大神", the sun Goddess who is the Founder of the Imperial Family. Ise-jingu used to be called just ”Jingu".

★Ise-jingu Shrine Official Website : http://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/

The weather was fine though the wind was a bit chilly. There were so many huge tall trees like pines or cedars, and when I looked up along the trees, I could see the blue sky between the branches.

The Kencha-shiki took place solemnly. The atmosphere was very peaceful and I felt purified.

After the Kencha-shiki, the tea gathering was held at the tea house in Ise-jingu. 

The arrangement or tools are more gorgeous and colorful, the atmosphere is more cheerful and relaxed. 

The word of the hanging scroll in the Tokonoma was "一夢成", it means "One dream comes true.". (the right one of the pictures above)

Today, one of our master's dream has come true by serving a cup of tea to the gods : to connect Sencha-do and Japanese history, to become a bridge between the past, present and future, to spread "Magokoro 真心" (sincerity) and ”Yamato-shin 大和心” (Japanese spirit).

And he asks us what can you do for the Sencha-do, the world, the country, other people or yourself.

★Memo★  The word "Yume 夢" (dream) has an another meaning in zen.

In this world, every phenomenon is like dream or fantasy that has the temporary figure, and nothing continues in the same state. Everything is constantly changing. So you shouldn't be captured by or cling to something, and treasure every moment of life. It leads to the philosophy of tea ceremony as well.

I believe each person has the fundamental desire to want to help other people, make precious people happy or contribute to the society or community. The sense of accomplishment or confidence you get leads you to the happiness. 

It doesn't matter what you do is big or small. It does matter you do something with love.

I want to share a poet of Emily Dickinson.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Since I re-met Japanese tea culture and started learning about it and seeing various ways of teas, I have often thought about what is the tea I do want to do. There have been various styles of tea by the period of time, by the place, by the people.

Then when I created this website, I named "tea of grace" to describe or express the tea I want to do. 

I love the word "grace". There are several meanings:

1. a disposition to kindness and compassion

2. the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God

3. a sense of propriety and consideration for others

4. elegance and beauty of movement or expression

5. a short prayer of thanks before a meal           etc...

I chose grace as the translation of "Ji ai 慈愛" (deep love like parents are affectionate to or caress their children) / "Ji hi 慈悲" (compassion, mercy) .

I want to cherish the casual daily life, small things in every moments.

I want to value every encounters. I want to be helpful for others as much as I can.

I want to be grateful for blessings of nature from season to season.

I want to love the life.　I do wish so strongly.

The path is long and my steps are slow and small but I would like to make it into a shape a little by little.

Life is often tough, confusing, cruel, sad or unreasonable that makes you feel lonely or hopeless.

But that is exactly why I want to say it loud.

And I can't help but wish and pray everyone has the moment of shine with simple pleasures, laughter, relaxing time, warm communications, beauty and learning.

Thank you very much for reading.

Yuko