Turning Japanese

CEBU, Philippines - Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers under the Japan International Cooperation Agency, in cooperation with Ayala Center Cebu, showcased a Japanese Culture Event last August 6 and 7 at the Active Zone. 

The Japanese volunteers demonstrated about “Sado”, a ritualized form of making and serving tea, and dressing “Yukata,” a summertime kimono.

The tea ceremony (sado: the way of the tea) is a way of preparing and drinking tea. The custom has been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. Sado is not only drinking tea, but is also more of a spiritual ceremony through tea. You can see and taste Japanese culture through the way the tea ceremony is done.

History of Sado

Tea was first brought to Japan from China by the priest Eisai in 1191 and it was drank in Japanese temples as a form of medicine. In the 15th century, Zen master Murata Juko was the first to break convention in Japan and served tea on an intimate tatami mat. Such became the forerunner of the Japanese tea room. Tea was served to aristocrats in grand parlors using expensive Chinese utensils.

Dressing kimono

The volunteers helped dress up attendees with the Yukata or the summertime kimono.

Kimono is a Japanese traditional garment. It is a T-shaped, straight-line robe that falls down to the ankle with long wide sleeves and collars attached. Instead of buttons or zippers, an obi is tied around the waist like a wide belt.

The original style came from China to Japan as early as the 5th century. Originally its style consisted of half apron and trousers. During the Heian period (8th-12th century), the kimono became increasingly stylized to fit to Japanese culture.

During the Muromachi Age (14th to 16th century), a single kimono began to be worn without trousers, and thus began to be held close to the body by an obi (belt). Finally, the kimono style adopted today was made in the 17th century or the Edo Age.

The volunteers also had a demo on Ikebana, or Japanese art of flower arrangement; origami or the art of paper folding; and syodo or calligraphy.