WACHA has announced its dream of increasing the number of people throughout Japan who prepare their own matcha. WACHA’s mission is to spread the charm of the tea ceremony from multiple perspectives, making the enjoyment of tea culture a natural part of daily life.
This press release is part of the April Dream project, where businesses share their dreams on April 1, in hopes of making them a reality.
How well do Japanese people really know the tea ceremony, a form of comprehensive Japanese art?
Matcha and tea ceremony are growing in popularity around the world, and more people abroad are preparing their own matcha and enjoying the tea ceremony. However, when foreign tourists ask about Japanese culture, aren't there more moments where we struggle to explain? As the founder of WACHA, my personal introduction to the tea ceremony came through my grandfather, KASEN-NIN, a potter who made Raku teabowls. Raku teabowls were created by Sen no Rikyu to let people feel the warmth of the clay in their hands. Initially, I focused on understanding only the Raku teabowls, but as I learned more about them, I realized they truly shine as part of the broader tea ceremony culture. The tea ceremony, encompassing everything from daily life practices to various artistic fields—such as pottery, gardening, calligraphy, architecture, music, and fragrance—is a complete form of Japanese art.
But let’s take a step back. In China, tea culture is deeply ingrained in daily life, and during business negotiations, it's not uncommon to be welcomed with Chinese tea ceremony. On the other hand, in Japan, tea ceremony seems to have become something viewed as 'extraordinary,' possibly due to changes in the times, dietary habits, and the influx of other cultures offering a wider array of preferences.
Take for example the current kintsugi boom (the art of repairing broken pottery with gold). Despite the rising interest, the number of highly skilled kintsugi artisans in Japan is dwindling, and most of the lacquer used for the repairs is imported from China. At first glance, Japanese culture seems to be thriving, but behind the scenes, we are overlooking the rapid decline of our own traditions.
Now is the time for us to help more Japanese people appreciate the tea ceremony and Japan’s cultural heritage, which are truly the culmination of traditional Japanese arts. WACHA’s dream is to inspire as many people as possible to start preparing their own matcha.
For more details, please visit (Japanese only) → https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000092382.html