What is the real purpose of the Tea Ceremony? Philosophy? Zen? The perfect cup of tea?
Well, I would guess that, today, the answer is simple: money.
The event no longer takes place in a small garden house but in theatre-style halls.
Even so, one shouldn’t miss the opportunity to attend such a ceremony. It’s beautiful.
And you even can take photographs, which would not exactly be compatible with the traditions of Cha-Do - the way of tea.
Jardin Majorelle Marrakech, originally uploaded by laurenz. Located in the heart of Marrakechs new city, Jardin Majorelle is a beautiful spot to somewhat relax from the other wonders of this city. It once belonged to the painter Jacques Majorelle who also happened to be interested in botanics. There is a small museum displaying his paintings as well as some islamic art, but possibly his most amazing work is the way brightly coloured buildings and ceramics blend with the tropical plants. This very much reminded me of the modern glass installations of Dale Chilhuly in Miamis Fairchild Gardens. The park was also once owned by ...
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October 22nd, 2004 at 10:12 am
The lady in the picture is peforming ‘tea for a Western room,’ a ceremony devised in the late 1800s. That’s amazing equipment she’s got. But for most practitioners of tea, it is still done in a small room, four and a half mats or so, and is about the study. What you was was spectacular, but a ‘demonstration’ by someone of high standing and rank in a theatrical art. Kind of like a movie start making spaghetti in a designer kitchen on TV. Interesting, but not the way most of us do it.
October 24th, 2004 at 7:41 am
Pyrkanthos,
thanks for the information! What you say is certainly true and I was aware of the fact that this was more of a theatrical event than a genuine tea ceremony.
On the other hand, in a real tea ceremony, you would normally not have the opportunity to take pictures - let alone using fill-flash!
Laurenz
March 11th, 2005 at 6:18 am
ahahaha cool stuff