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

2017.03

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