For Rapid Progress, Learn to Teach Yourself Pt 3/3

What should we do to teach ourselves. Here are some suggestions:

1. Find someone in that field that you admire and respect (you could say a role model perhaps).  Research that person’s work, approach to the subject you are studying, their role models, and if they are  still alive perhaps make physical contact by attending their lecture, exhibition, game etc.
2. Find another ‘teacher’.  There are tons of people who know a lot more about your topic than you do.  Look on the internet for groups who share a similar interest in your topic, read blogs, and search for videos on you tube that explain, demonstrate or discuss things related to your topic. Don’t forget there are how-to books for almost everything under the sun.
3. Find a senpai . Senpai is a Japanese word that basically means a person who is more senior than you, not necessarily in age, but rather because they joined an organization before you (meaning they have been doing something longer than you have, and that makes them senior to you).  Look for someone who has been studying your topic longer than you have and ask them to explain difficult concepts or even to teach you something new.
4. Get information about the opposite of what you do in class.  For example if you are taking a pottery class which is practical, read about the theory.  Maybe read about types of clays, kilns and firing methods, what type of pottery is produced in which countries/regions, and which is considered to be the best, how is pottery used in around the world (eg in Japan it is a big part of tea ceremony) etc. If it is a sport, read about the governing bodies （eg. National Tennis Association） and all the major competitions for that sport, the rules for each competition, prize money, top players etc.                    On the other hand if you are studying the theory in class　find ways to learn the practical side of things. eg If you are taking a language class for example, join an online community where you can practice writing and reading messages in your target language.  Make a weekly/monthly lunch date with someone who is fluent in your target language, and ask them to correct your most obvious mistakes.  I say obvious mistakes because you don’t want to make the other person to feel like they are working; you want the atmosphere to be fun.  Your goal is to use the language in a natural setting, accuracy will come with continued practice.
5. Find a way to practice on your own.  If you can afford to, try to buy the tools you need to practice at home.  You may not be able to afford a grand piano, but maybe you could find a used keyboard type that comes with headphones etc. If it is belly dance, then invest in a few DVDs and any other basics you would need to shake your hips at home.  It is also possible to practice the theory at home, review your notes thoroughly, research anything that came up in class that you would like to know more about, create your own notes by adding information that helps you to remember, or add more depth.
6. See your topic in action.

(ア)   Language learners : go to speech contests, or International conferences/events in your area, travel to where the language is used

(イ)   Dance/musical instruments: go to concerts

(ウ)  Sports:  don’t just watch it on tv, go to see the real matches/competitions

(エ)  Art – exhibitions, gallery openings, auctions (don’t bid, just look, don’t cough either it may be mistaken for a bid)

(オ)  Alcohol making or tasting – visit a winery/distillery, go to wine/beer festivals etc

(カ)   Tea ceremony – go to an actual ocha kai or chaji

7.  Host your own.  Why not start your own club for patchwork, auto mechanic, real estate investing, guitar, snorkeling or whatever it may be.  Why not host an amateur guitar night, or salsa night?

These are a few ideas to get you started and I am sure that you dear readers have more that you can think of.  Please don’t hesitate to write a comment and share with me any other ideas you have.

Ganbatte Kudasai

For Rapid Progress, Learn to Teach Yourself Pt 2/3 – My Story

We will continue our discussion of how to teach ourselves.   In this part 2 I will explain why I found it necessary to learn to teach myself and in part 3  I will discuss ideas on how we can teach ourselves.  I hope you find  the ideas useful.  These ideas came about because of my own experience studying Japanese Tea Ceremony.  In many cases we are not allowed to see, much less do the tea procedures that are beyond our level. Teachers decide which procedure you will be allowed to do, and how many times you will have to do it before being taught the next higher one.

At the lower level (there are about 6) we need to know  16 different tea procedures.  For most of those 16 procedures however there is a summer and a winter version.  Additionally, for each of those 16, the movements will vary depending on the shelf you are using, and there are many, many types of  shelves. You do the math.  I found that practicing once a week meant that I would have to wait years before getting a chance to do all the 16 tea procedures in my level and to be able to do them well.  Not to mention even more years before I get a chance to go on to the next level and beyond where the procedures become quite interesting.

To ensure that I not only get a chance to study the 16 tea procedures  in a much faster time, but that I master each one as well, I started teaching myself.  I started acquiring the utensils I needed a little at a time, until I had enough to practice the 16 procedures that I need to know.  I relied on online resources, books etc to learn the order of the movements for each procedure.  (For techniques I need corrections from my teacher or someone more senior than I).  For tea procedures that I am not allowed to do or see in my tea class, I ask my senior (senpai) to teach me whenever he can.

I now practice at home usually three days per week and on each day, I do tea procedures 3 times.  Sometimes I do 3 different ones, sometimes I do one twice and another  once to make a total of 3.  I have learned and improved so much by practicing at home. My progress has been rather quick and I am satisfied.  Best of all, I can do any tea procedure I like, even if it is above my level, because at home I don’t need  permission to do so.  Naturally I haven’t shared this with my teachers.

The tips in part 3, have all helped me in some way.  Some of them are priceless.  Please continue to read and don’ t forget to share your comments.

For Rapid Progress, Learn to Teach Yourself Pt 1

Recently I have been thinking of the importance of learning teach ourselves.   Whatever it is we are trying to learn, be it a foreign language, a skill, or a craft, our progress or lack thereof does not rests soley in our teacher’s hands.  The onus for our learning does not rest with our teachers, it lies with us, it is our responsibility.

What do I mean?  Well, even if you have the best teacher in the world, that teacher cannot teach you everything there is to know about whatever it is you are studying.  More importantly, if you rely only on what you are taught in class without taking the initiative to seek extra knowledge on your own, then your understanding of the subject will be limited to your teacher’s understanding of the subject, and how quickly you progress will depend on how much scope the teacher gives you to do so.  Added to that is the fact that you will be missing an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in your topic by moving beyond the theoretical and more into the practical and vice versa you may be doing the practical in class but lack the theory.

Teaching yourself allows you to progress at a faster than average pace.  It deepens your understanding and helps you to ask more meaning questions in class about different aspects of your topic.

In part 2 I will share some ideas and techniques that I have found useful in teaching myself tea ceremony.  Please do tune in.

Bang for your Bucks or Bang for Free

Americans have an expression ‘bang for your bucks’  Although I myself don’t use that expression I do appreciate the concept.  I like the bang for free( sounding  vulgar

I think it is safe to say that Japan has the best fireworks shows in the world.  While I am sure that some people may have problems digesting that, what is undisputed however, is that we have THE LARGEST fireworks display in the world.   It happens next door to my city on August 1st when 200,000 explosions can be seen across the summer sky by thousands of gawking patrons in brightly coloured summer kimonos (yukata).

From mid July to August each year, cities and villages across Japan, pull out all the stops to make their fireworks display the best it can be.  Ads for fireworks are never complete without mentioning how many of those firecrackers will be used in each display.  For me personally, anything under 7000 is not worth my time (that was written with a British accent to up the snobby/snotty factor).

In many places these events are usually held by the main river that flows through each city  or town.  It is a grand affair that can be enjoyed by all, and the best part is they are totally FREE.

My favourite fireworks festival takes place around the shore of the beautiful lake Biwa.  10,000 fireworks are set off in the summer sky that are designed to take your breath away.  Of course popular designs such as butterflies, hearts and of cours the ever popular Kitty Chan and Doraemon get their fair share of oohs and aahhs.

If you ever get the chance please do visit Japan during the summer (by Japan what I really mean is Kyoto).  There is so much going on that will make you feel alive again.  Never mind the humidity, it prevents your skin and hair from drying out, and moving around in the heat will help you lose a few pounds.

If you have been to any of the summer activities in Kyoto please do write a comment and share with me what, where, when and your impressions.

Ja mata ne/Sayonara

Peace Through a Bowl of Tea

Before coming to Japan my birthday was a day to celebrate and to have a good time.

However, on my first birthday in Japan (when I had a tv) there were sad images all day, of the sheer and utter destruction of life caused by the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.  It was then I realized that my birthday and the bombing of Hiroshima fall on the same day, and while I am living in Japan it will not be a day to celebrate.

I have been to Hiroshima several times.  The site of the atomic bomb musuem is beautiful yet it tells a sad story.  I have spent hours looking at items pulled from the disaster area such as school uniforms of children, lunch boxes, and pictures of victims that were left with severe illnesses and ghastly skin conditions from being exposed to high levels of radiation.

On to another story, in the past few months I have been fortunate to have met and spoken with Daisosho Hounsai the 15th Urasenke Grand Tea Master.  He is quite charasmatic.  He himself experienced war, and the story goes that the chabako temaes were developed by his father so that Daishosho Hounsai could share tea while serving his country n that time of war.  I have been reading some of his written work and they move me.

It is due to his influence and his concept of ‘Peace through a  bowl of tea’ that on my birthday yesterday and the day of the Hiroshima bombing, that I  served tea as a way of encouraging peace.

It was quite fulfilling to serve tea both on my birthday and on the following day as well.  I no longer focused on who forgot my birthday, or what I wanted for my birthday.  I simply focused on making  and sharing tea as my own symbol of peace.

This is now a new tradition for me, and it is one that gives my birthday new meaning.  When tea is made in the true spirit in which it should be done, your focus is on making the best bowl of tea possible for your guest, and all else is secondary.  It is an utterly selfless act, in which everything you do, is for the benefit of your guest.  There is no place for the ego which is usually the root of many misunderstandings/wars.

I look forward to my next birthday when I can again be reminded that there are no winners in war, and when I can in my own way make the tiniest contribution by encouraging peace through my bowls of tea.

The Tea Party Continues

I would like to say a big thank you to all of you who have been reading my blog during my absence.  I am grateful because even I have not been to this page in months.  In the meantime so much has been happening and so many lessons have been learned.

I hope to continue sharing my stories and experiences with you

Kind Regards

Being Faithful

One of the many great things about being a teaist in Kyoto is the abundance of opportunities to attend tea ceremonies.  With most temples hosting a tea ceremony at least once a month, and with Kyoto having a high concentration of Japan’s most famous temples, there is no lack of  places to indulge in that welcoming bowl of tea, and places to oogle at expensive tea utensils.

Tea ceremonies are not only available at temples but also at gardens , machiyas and Japanese style tea shops all over the city.  With so many places to chose from, it is difficult to have a favourite and be faithful to just one place.  Monogomy is not an option for me, I simply love them all.  Last month I had tea at Daitokuji temple, but this month (today actually) I went to kenninji Temple where soba was included as a part of the ceremony.  The soba was delicious and the fact that my seat overlooked the elegant garden tripled the effect.

With cherry blossom season at its peak, many places are having tea cereomonies to celebrate the pink buds.   Therefore for the rest of the month I will be having tea surrounded by thousands of pink blossoms at Heian Shrine, and Nijo Castle‘ where 2 types of tea and a light meal will be served.  Such indulgence!

What’s in store for next month?  I have decided to play fair and share my affections evenly between the tea ceremonies at Daitokuji and Kenninji Temples (of course unless, you know, something else good comes along then there will be 3 or even 4 temples to go to.).

Selling Things You Are Addicted to- Good or Bad Business?

Kimonos are gorgeous beyond words.  They are a girly girl’s dream come true.  Beautiful fabrics, one size fits  all, hides all your bodily flaws, never goes out of style, perfect for bad hair days because a simple updo is ideal, 2 pairs of slippers (one dressy, one casual) is enough, no jewelry required, you can mix and match to eternity, you dont need to wash it for ages.  ( cost, restricted movement and discomfort, skill required to put them on, knowledge required to wearing them appropriately according age, season, occasion, and marital status, the time it takes to put them, take them off and store them away properly, and other such disadvantages will not be mentioned in this post). Yes, a kimono is the ultimate in elegance.

I got the idea to add kimonos to my online store because I was shocked at the quality of the items being sold.  No disputing they were cheap, but what exactly are you going to do with a kimono that is riddled with stains, has holes or is otherwise damaged.  An obi with a stain will requiring some amount of manouvering to ensure that the stain doesn’t show when the obi is tied.  These old kimonos and obis are perfect for those who will wisely recycle them to make bags or skirts etc. but for those who need kimonos to wear then even though cheap they were not ideal.

I started my search for kimonos without stains, tears, discolouration and it is hard work.  They do exist but on the vintage kimono market they are a minority and quite pricey.  However time consuming the process, it is loads of fun and I was able to find a few priceless pieces that fit the bill.

Fastforwarding, I have put a few kimonos online and because of the price factor they are slow sellers.  You would think I would be bummed out, but it is quite the opposite.  I am ecstatic.  You see, when I put a kimono up for sale, I match it with an obi, put it on a mannequin and usually by the time I am done, I have pangs in my stomach because I don’t want to sell the kimono anymore.  It rarely fails to happen, it is an addiction isn’t it.  I force myself to put it online for 30 days, but then I fret and worry that someone will buy it.    Sometimes I am lucky and get to add a kimono that was not sold to my personal collection but sometimes I am left pinning about the one that got away.  A kimono or the obi by itself can sometimes work magic, but that is nothing compared to when a kimono and obi are perfectly matched together.

Below I will show you some of my darlings that didn’t sell, that I have greedily added to my personal stash.

Number 1

Houmongi in pale blue

Kimono paired with an obi

Number 2

Kimono by itself

Next up is a komon, that I have now realized is a head turner because the combination is so vivid and bold.  When I feel under appreciated, I wear this one because I know I will get tons of compliments from complete strangers.  Even people in cars will try to get my attention at the traffic light to say a word or two.

Kimono paired with an obi

Back View

Number 3

Really quite a plain kimono but non-the-less it is for formal occasions only

This next one that didn’t sell is a formal kimono.  It is called Iromuji or plain kimono.  It comes with its own winter coat, has a crest  and is  basically perfect for all formal occassions.  One of these is a must have in any Kimono wardrobe.  I haven’t worn this yet but I am grateful to still have it, because while I do have other plain kimonos, they don’t come with a matching coat and I am still yet to find a suitable obi for some of them.

crest

paired with a fukuro obi

Back of Obi, this obi is a little stiff and difficult to tie, but once you get the job done it is a beaty.

Ensemble with matching Haori coat

Number 4

Tsukesage, semi-formal kimono

I am not sure if I had actually put this one up for sale.  I know that I was dressing the doll and I got a call inviting me to a concert featuring a modernized version of traditional Japanese dance usually seen in Noh plays.  I chose this and wore it to the event; so either I didn’t actually put it up for sale or I ended the auction early.  Either way bad for business right?

back view

Same kimono as above but with a different obi

Back view

Number 5

Friendly, easy to wear tsumugi kimono

I am very surprised that this one is still here.  This is the jeans of the kimono world and unlike the others above, I have no problems going eating and drinking in this one.  Japanese izakayas (pubs) are smoke -filled sometimes and I wear this with no fear.  This is made of wool, it is unlined but still keeps me warm in winter.  I now have 2 because I had one before I bought the extra one to put up for sale.  Now I use it to dress friends who are scared to wear silk and rent it to visitors who come to Japan for sightseeing .

with nagoya obi

same kimono with han haba or half obi

back view. this type of obi is normally worn with yukata

Number 6

This is not an exciting kimono, it is a tsukesage just like the one abovem made of wool and has tiny pink and red flecks that are not easily seen.

Unfortunately the next one did not even make it online.  The kimono is not exciting but I bought it because it met my condititons (it had no stains or damage and was in perfect condition). It was  perfect for the cold season so I thought it would be a quick seller.  Lo and behold I found the perfect obi that brought out the  delicate pink and red details that are in the kimono and my addiction took over. It is now a favourite when I am going to tea class and also when I am going out to Izakayas.

when I matched it with the perfect obi it came alive

Number 7

Next one is divine.  This one made me sweat while I waited out the 30 days it was online.  I knew I would not have been able to duplicate this look.  The color of the kimono is rare, and the obi with its generous amounts of gold threads is luxurious.  I am yet to wear this one, but it’s not just about wearing it, I want this kimono to have a proper debut.

See how the purple hues in the obi just falls in harmony with that of the kimono

There you have it.  I have given you a peek into a small part of my kimono wardrobe and now you know the story of how I collected them.  I have stopped buying kimonos for personal use.  Now I just wait for the left-overs from my store.  I suppose serious entreprenuers are probably in shock at my lack of business sense and I do agree with you.  However when all is said and done, my business may be broke but I look GOOD.

Are you also operating a small business handling things you are addicted to.  Write and tell me what items you sell, and how disciplined you are in keeping your hands off.

Warm Regards and thanks a bunch for visiting

Falling Asleep in Class

ro-sunken hearth for winter

Even though we are coming to the end of the Ro season for tea ceremony the weather here is still playing tricks on us. Saturday it was so warm and lovely that I didn’t even need my coat for my kimono (oh yes I got organized and went to class in my kimono folks). In the tearoom we didnt even use heat. For today’s class though it was freezing and I couldn’t wait to sit beside the ro. I shared a foot warming pad with another student just to keep the blood flowing in my feet.

Now back to Saturday’s class, we practiced at the Research Centre. The tea rooms there are massive and with no doors it makes things even more complicated.  I was just wrapping my mind around having to pretend to open the imaginary doors to enter and exit the tearooms just to maintain good form, when another variable complicated things more, the Sugidana shelf.

Empty Sugidana shelf

I have seen this shelf several times but have never used it in my own practice before now. This shelf requires some extra movements that I was not accustomed to. For starters, the second shelf needs to be pushed back before removing the lid of the mizusashi and returned to its original position sometime later.

hishaku

Hanging the hishaku on the small hook was tricky because it was

sugidana-with-hishaku-natsume and mizusashi at the bottom

difficult to get the hishaku hanging straight. Many of us choose to fumble with it which didn’t really please our teacher at all because needless to say, fumbling does not go hand in hand with the elegance required in tea ceremony.

Because of these complications it caused a few of us to fall asleep during class. Let me explain. One of the challenges for foreigners practicing tea is of course sitting in seiza style. It hurts, no there are other words for it, it is so excruciating it numbs the mind. Most tea rooms are forgiving to us Westerners and so you can sit with your legs to the side etc. At Urasenke no deal, you need to sit properly, it is part of the training. I mean your feet goes numb after 20 minutes of sitting still, yet a typical class goes on for 2 hours.

feet when sitting in seiza

Well after the first student was done preparing  tea and was now standing for the first time to take the utensils out the tea room, he paused when getting out of seiza. I winced because I felt his agony. My teacher said ‘If you can’t feel your legs, don’t stand up’. You see, it is not unusual for westerners to fall over because their feet have completely fallen asleep and hence the words of caution from my teacher.
Most of us who have been studying for a while usually have no problems standing up after tea preparations that we have already learned. However because it was our first time to use the Sugidana shelf, our teacher had to walk us through all the different steps and that took extra time which resulted in us having to sit longer. Hence our feet went to sleep and left us without legs to stand on. The tatami flooring is hard and offers no cushioning so staying awake in class is a challenge some of us westerners all have to face.

Glossary
seiza: To sit in seiza position, one first kneels on the knees, and then sits back with the buttocks resting on the heels, the back straight and the hands folded in the lap. The tops of the feet lie flat on the floor.

Ro – fire pit, sunken hearth) : Ro (炉) are fire pits built into the floor of tea rooms and used in the cold season, for heating the hot water kettle (kama) to make the tea. The frame that fits around it at the top is called robuchi (炉縁, ro frame), and usually is of lacquered wood. In the season when the ro is not in use, the frame is removed and the ro is covered with one of the tatami mats that form the surface of the floor, and is not visible.

hishaku: is a long bamboo ladle with a knob in the approximate center of the handle. It is used to pour hot water into the tea bowl from the iron pot (kama) and to transfer cold water from the fresh water container (mizusashi) to the iron pot when required.

What is Tea Ceremony?

I realized that while I may be wrapped up in my own tea ceremony world, many visitors to my page may have no clue what I am ranting about. Many of you may be interested in Japanese culture and would like to learn more so I did a search and what follows below is an explanation of the art of tea ceremony.

At its most basic, tea ceremony or chanoyu is the Japanese art of preparing and serving powdered green tea (matcha) to guests. It is a multifaceted traditional activity strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism and has a ceremonial quality to it. Because of its base in Japanese traditional culture, the host — male or female — almost always wears a kimono. Proper attire for guests is kimono or subdued formal wear.

The following excerpt was taken from the page http://web-japan.org and has been edited. It offers and excellent introduction and offers an easy to understand explantion of Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony (chanoyu), which is also known as the Way of Tea (chado or sado), is the ritualized preparation and serving of powdered green tea in the presence of guests. A full-length formal tea ceremony involves a meal (chakaiseki) and two servings of tea (koicha and usucha) and lasts approximately four hours, during which the host engages his whole being in the creation of an occasion designed to bring aesthetic, intellectual, and physical enjoyment and peace of mind to the guests.

To achieve this, the tea host or hostess may spend decades mastering not only the measured procedures for serving tea in front of guests, but also learning to appreciate art, crafts, poetry, and calligraphy; learning to arrange flowers, cook, and care for a garden; and at the same time instilling in himself or herself grace, selflessness, and attentiveness to the needs of others.

The ceremony is equally designed to humble participants by focusing attention both on the profound beauty of the simplest aspects of nature—such as light, the sound of water, and the glow of a charcoal fire (all emphasized in the simple rustic setting of the tea room).

Conversation in the tearoom is focused on the implements and utensils used in the ceremony. The guests will not engage in small talk or gossip, but limit their conversation to a discussion of the origin of utensils and praise for the beauty of natural manifestations.

The objective of a tea gathering is that of Zen Buddhism—to live in this moment—and the entire ritual is designed to focus the senses so that one is totally involved in the occasion and not distracted by mundane thoughts. Through tea, recognition is given that every human encounter is a singular occasion which can, and will, never recur again exactly. Thus every aspect of tea must be savored for what it gives the participants.

People may wonder if a full-length formal tea ceremony is something that Japanese do at home regularly for relaxation. This is not the case. It is rare in Japan now that a person has the luxury of owning a tea house or the motivation to entertain in one. Entertaining with the tea ritual has always been, with the exception of the Buddhist priesthood, the privilege of the elite.

These days there are many people who study tea ceremony in Japan in one of the three main styles (Urasenke, Omotesenke and Mushanokōjisenke). Every week, all year round, they go to their teacher for two hours at a time, sharing their class with three or four other students. They take turn preparing tea and playing the role of the host and guest. Then they go home and come again the following week to do the same, many for their whole lives.

In the process, the tea student learns not only how to make tea, but also how to make the perfect charcoal fire; how to look after utensils and prepare the powdered tea; how to appreciate art, poetry, pottery, calligraphy, lacquerware, wood craftsmanship, and gardens; and how to recognize all the wild flowers and in which season they bloom. They learn how to deport themselves in a tatami (reed mat) room and to always think of others first.

The teacher discourages learning from a book and makes sure all movements are learned with the body and not with the brain. The traditional arts—tea, calligraphy, flower arranging, and the martial arts—were all originally taught without texts or manuals. The goal is not the intellectual grasp of a subject, but the attainment of presence of mind.

Each week there are slight variations in the routine, dictated by the utensils and the season, to guard against students becoming complacent in their practice. The student is reminded that the Way of Tea is not a course of study that has to be finished, but life itself. There are frequent opportunities for students to attend tea gatherings, but it does not matter if the student never goes to a formal four-hour chaji—the culmination of all they have learned—because it is the process of learning that counts: the tiny accumulation of knowledge, the gradual fine-tuning of the sensibilities, and the small but satisfying improvements in the ability to cope gracefully with the little dramas of the everyday world. The power of the tea ritual lies in the unfurling of self-realization.

So dear readers I hope you found this introduction useful. If this post has inspired at least one person to study tea I would be elated.
If you have ever attended a tea ceremony, or had Japanese matcha please drop me a line with your impressions.

Thank you for visiting, reading and learning and please don’t forget to check out my Ebay store called Japanese Elegance.

http://stores.ebay.com/Japanese-Elegance

Let’s chat soon

Sayonara