tea for children

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what this post is getting at... There is nothing wrong with any flight of fancy or whimsy and everyone is free to enjoy tea in the way that they choose. After a few years into my love of tea I began to really look admiringly at the tea ceremony, not long after the luster began to fade and the more I learned and researched the less I liked. Gong Fu/Kung Fu brewing is a different story though and was the perfect form of enjoyment for me.

That being said, I don't think there is really a way to do what you speak of. The tea ceremony is very complex, rooted in tradition, and almost robotic precision. Maybe on a very surface-level goofy/fun way it could be achieved, but not much more. Beyond that I'm not sure a kid *should* or even could understand or internalize much of anything to do with tea. To enjoy it, fine, to respect tea, fine, but outside of that I can't see it.

- Dominic

Children should probably not drink anything with caffeine in it. The English tea party, with a tisane, has been fun for a lot of children. Toci

Dominic doesn't make tea ceremony sound very fun-- but *I* enjoy it, and some of my research has been about the question of why/how tea ceremony professionals enjoy it. This question has been actively ignored by people writing about tea ceremony (whether in English or in Japanese) in an effort to preserve the "profound" image... but, truth is, an ideal tea gathering should be relaxed, have doses of spontaneity, and be a concrete expression of the closeness of the participants... and, I'd say lots of tea gatherings achieve this ideal. I've even seen examples of somewhat rambunctious levity at very elite tea gatherings, and people thought they were both fun and successful gatherings.

I should note that the tea ceremony teachers in Japan who are the most straight-laced, uptight and not-fun are teachers who seem to feel insecure in the art, often cowered by status fears. The more experienced/elite teachers are the ones who are more relaxed, who have an easier time at being generous (and forgiving) hosts, and who have a keener sense of *play*.

I think the notion of "playing" at a self-created "tea ceremony" is nice: it is the creation of a ritual time and space when the participants can *focus*, something *I* consider to be healthy and healing. The advantage that I see in learning an established tradition of tea drinking is that you have a ready-made community of people with whom you can share this ritual experience. The caveat? Study with an elite teacher. (If you need hints about how to do

james-henry holland japanese language and culture hobart and william smith colleges geneva, new york 14456 usa

Thanks for sharing something about the essence of tea ceremony. I get the feeling of a community of tea drinking experience at this NG, and for me that's enough, without being instructed in correct manners.

Maybe, as I lurk along, I'll study on how different philosophies might approach the experience of tea drinking, as in the famous engraving of "The Vinegar Tasters."

Regards, bookburn

One might say that imitation is a sign of respect, and that playing at/copying is learning. Maybe children are socialized by elders, and participating in customary practices is useful instruction?

I have to confess not knowing what kids are doing when they play, but it does seem we all need to play. Play involves the same stress relief and relaxation we get from tea drinking, maybe?

I don't intend to make a case for children taking part in tea ceremony in terms of game theory, but do think they understand and internalize stuff all the time.

Regards, bookburn

Lots of caffeine in soda pop, too. Okay, let's make weak tea and drink only a tiny cup. I understand the artificial sweeteners, except ones made of fruit extract, are unhealthy. Just think of all the good things you could teach kids in a tea ceremony. bookburn

I'm not sure which school of the tea ceremony you are speaking about when you mention "fun" but I guess it is relative. I make no bones about my falling away from the tea ceremony, but that doesn't mean I would deliberately paint it in a bad light. I have nothing against it or those who practice it and keep it alive... in fact I am big on any ethnic tradition, tea related or not.

Sado/Chado are fairly complex and each step is rooted in deep/complex meaning and history. Ikebana, Shodo, wabi, etc. There is a pretty well defined script that unfolds in the same order and manner each time. That is the point of a ceremony or ritual, not so much variety and spontenaity and fun.

Let me say this though, I don't personally believe that it needs to be performed robotic and traditionally to be enjoyable... in fact just as you say the more loose and inviting it is the better. However this isn't really in the spirit of the actual ceremony and I can't actually call it "Tea Ceremony" I call it Tea. And there is nothing wrong with that.

IMHO,

- Dominic