One of the coolest things I experienced in my first year in Japan was the tea ceremony. My Japanese teacher told me about a tea ceremony workshop. The host, Ms. Hirose, dressed me with a beautiful kimono, prepared delicious Japanese sweets, and made fresh and yummy matcha. When she had heard that I was Christian, she kindly prepared a special tea bowl for me, decorated with mosaic church windows. That thoughtful gesture immediately touched my heart.
I enjoyed the workshop so much that I joined her three-month tea ceremony class. Every Tuesday, Ms. Hirose dressed in kimono and prepared seasonal sweets. Each class had different sweet to match the season or the festival, the flower or the fairytale etc. It involves many aspects of Japanese culture. She taught me all the steps slowly and clearly, so, even with my limited Japanese, I could follow her.
On sunny days, we held Nodate (野点 enjoying tea outdoors) in Nakajima Park. One especially memorable experience was visiting Hasso-an, a tearoom from the Edo period. In old times, people had to go through a very small doorway to enter tearooms. Samurai were required to leave their swords outside before entering, making the tearoom a place where everyone humbled themselves—literally and spiritually—and treated each other with respect. Inside, the atmosphere felt incredibly peaceful.
Around the same time, I found a Japanese book at a bookstore titled Christian Missionaries observed the Tea Ceremony ( キリスト教宣教師がみた茶の湯, 2023). I showed Ms. Hirose and she borrowed it from me. The book explains the deep historical connection between Christianity and tea ceremony. I was surprised to learn that when Christians were persecuted in Japan, some Christians had Holy Communion at tea rooms in temples.
Learning about the tea ceremony’s rich culture and long history has made me appreciate it even more. What began as a simple workshop has grown into a meaningful new hobby—one that has brought peace, beauty, and connection into my life.
I am also grateful for my friendship with Ms. Hirose; we still meet for meals sometimes. I’ve been able to share a little of my faith with her.
By Kelly, an OMF missionary
