The traditional tea ceremony has been held today, August 31, in the reading room of the Patriotic War of 1812 museum within the Spasskaya Tower Festival. The ceremony was orchestrated by Ms. Sato Shizue, senior master of the Enshuryu Sado (Tea Ceremony). The translation was provided by Ms. Eleonora Sablina, specialist in the Japanese language and culture.
The tea ceremony has been held within the Festival since 2012 on the initiative of Lieutenant General Valery Khalilov, the first Music Director if the Spasskaya Tower Festival.
The tea ceremony is an ancient Japanese tradition born in the 12thcentury. It’s been especially honored among the samurai. At those times were always engaged in the internecine struggle and the tea ceremony right before the fight helped strengthening their combative spirit and morale.
The tea ceremony started with a minute of silence in honor of Valery Khalilov. Then all the participants of the ceremony were given traditional Japanese sweets having the shape of small buttons. The first sweets and the first cup of tea were put on the table with the portrait of Valery Khalilov.
“For us he is a very important person. His soul is always in our heats”, told Ms. Sato Shizue.
Japanese traditionally drink green tea milled in very fine powder. According to rules, before making the tea in a cup, it is necessary to warm it with hot water.
Ms. Sato Shizue made a cup of tea for every guest of the ceremony in unique handmade porcelain pieces.
While drinking tea everybody could have imagined himself being anyone he wanted: a samurai preparing for a battle or an ordinary person seeking peace and serenity.
At the end of the ceremony Ms. Sato Shizue awarded every participant with a certificate with her signature and Enshuryu Sado school stamp.