"Sado" Why not join a society and learn about Japanese culture?

#club #japanese #japan #tea #greentea #maccha #friend #afterschool

What kind of activities comes to your mind when you think about Japanese traditional culture? Sado(Japanese tea ceremony), kado(Japanese flower arrangement), Kendo(Japanese swordsmanchip), Kyudo(Japanese archery)etc?

I would like to recommend you to participate in these activities in Ochanomizu University for several reasons.

First, the fee is relatively cheap because University provides subsidies to these societies.

In addition, you do not have to go far away for lessons. Generally, you can learn them on campus, which is very convenient.

Also, you can learn traditional Japanese values through these activities. It is an enriching opportunity that you can only experience when you study abroad. After that, you can bring these skills and values home to show to other people.

Finally, you can meet local Japanese friends in societies. Sometimes, it is a little bit difficult to find Japanese friends, but if you join societies, it is much easier too.

For these reasons, I definitely recommend you joining societies in Ochanomizu University.

This is especially true for tea ceremony. 

Misaki demonstrated Japanese tea ceremony for the member of Japanese archery society in Manchester.

Ochanomizu University has two types of Japanese tea ceremony societies: “Omotesenke” and “Urasenke” tea ceremony society. These styles are slightly different, but in both societies, you can practice professional Japanese tea ceremony. I am a member of “Urasenke”, so I introduce “Urasenke” tea ceremony society to other people. During my time as an exchange student in the UK, I was able to introduce Japanese tea ceremony in the community in Manchester.

Ochanomizu University has a very cozy tearoom. We can practice here every time. It is one of the biggest privileges of society members.

Our society holds practice sessions from three to seven on every Wednesday and Thursday. Members can drop-in anytime during the schedule. For beginners, our teacher or senior students are willing to help. You can have delicious green tea and sweets, so I am sure the moment in the tea room should be one of your most relaxing time. Our society is very cozy and everyone knows with each other. In our society, there are around twenty members. It comprises of mainly first and second-year students.

We have many seasonal events for one year. This photo was taken when we celebrated the summer season. We wear Yukata (special clothes only for summer. Senior students help junior students to wear Yukata.) and enjoy tasty lunch box, tea, and sweets. Because of these events, we can know each other more.

There are many utensils for the tea ceremony. In practice session, you can learn and use various utensils.

I joined this society because I was interested in Japanese traditional culture and I was fascinated by the pretty atmosphere of the tea room. Almost three years have passed since I joined this society and I really appreciate all experiences I have gained through this society because I made many important friends and learned about Japanese culture and values.

Societies related to Japanese culture offer good opportunities to make new friends and learn Japanese traditional values. For example, my friend from the Czech Republic joined the Kyudo Society and made the best of her study abroad. For more information about societies, you can find out more through the details below.

“Urasenke”tea ceremony societies: You can come to practice session from there to seven on every Wednesday and Thursday.

“Omotesenke” tea ceremony societies: http://www.ocha.ac.jp/campuslife/circle/omotesenke.html

Kendo societies(Japanese swordsmanchip): http://www.ocha.ac.jp/campuslife/circle/kendo.html

Kyudo societies(Japanese archery):

http://www.ocha.ac.jp/campuslife/circle/kyudo.html

I hope you can get special experiences through these societies. That’s all I want to tell you. I hope you enjoyed reading this article.

Writer & Photo credit: Misaki Saito