Marshalls Abroad

Life

Japanese Tea Ceremony & The Naha Market

Last week, a friend invited me to go with her to Naha to a Japanese tea ceremony. Though we’ve had tea countless times while living out here, I’ve never actually been to a formal ceremony. It was incredible.  Every detail had meaning and there were months of preparation that went into it. I wish I had more photos, but it was so dark in the tatami mat room. When we arrived, we walked through a small Japanese garden to where we took off our shoes and ceremonially washed our hands & took a sip of water from the garden basin above. The traditional thick green tea we drank was prepared infront of us and was… um, not delicious at all. Haha, it was awful! But the experience was amazing. From the ideology read to us, to the clothing worn, every detail in tea ceremonies stem from Zen Buddhism. That’s why I was so surprised to find that our host and her husband are actually Pastors and she turned her ceremony into something beautifully Christian. Scripture was read. Purity, Faithfulness, Respect & Humbleness were the four themes she stressed. It wasn’t what we were expecting at all, and it brought tears to my eyes to witness how she worshiped the Lord through it. 
Jamie and I spent the rest of the day on Kokusai Street exploring the markets. It’s such a fun place in Naha: you can find everything from fish markets, pig heads, flowers and textiles, to Okinawan breads, meats, and fruits.
{Through the window: sweet ladies having tea together in an upstairs shop}
My lil finds. A pretty glass jar for olive oil and a print of a parrot fish that Cam always spears, to be framed for him.
Happy Tuesday!


Comments

  1. Lisa says

    How special……I have always wondered about a traditional tea ceremony.

    Girl, you NEED to stop posting pictures because with each post Okinawa moves up my travel list…..and I am meant to be on a break from Asia!!!

  6. Jenna says

    This looks incredible! I went to a traditional japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto and it is still one of the things that stands out the most about my trip to Japan. I specifically remember that I had a really bad sore throat that day and was worried I was coming down with strep throat. I dragged myself out of bed because I didn't want to waste my time in the country. Within about an hour of finishing the tea ceremony my sore throat had disappeared and never came back! Amazing, right!?

    xxx
    Jenna

  9. Allie says

    A traditional japanese tea ceremony sounds so fun and educational. I love the ritual involved in drinking tea, even though I'm an avid coffee drinker.

  10. Katie Cook says

    love, I think this is my favorite post you've ever done. the colors are SO beautiful, and of course, the ceremony seems AMAZING! how lovely that we can worship God in all different ways and places, love it! love Katie

  11. Rachel says

    This sounds like it was a beautiful experience…thank you so much for sharing. And I just love the print of the parrot fish! We use to eat those when I live in Hawaii!

  14. Aspiring Kennedy says

    I have had too many cups of tea to count while living in the UK, but I have yet to go back to the birthplace of tea and attend a traditional ceremony. It sounds wonderful. And you can never go wrong with wandering through local markets.

  17. Ashley's Cooking Adventures says

    I went to the same tea ceremony in November. Aren't the tea master and her daughter adorable? I wasn't such a fan of the thick green tea but enjoyed the experience! I love seeing your pictures of the same things I get to see on the island!

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