By Sarah Carrillo
Staff Writer
Tranquility permeates the quiet room above the library and the sense of the ancient traditions being carried out can be felt within the walls.
The Japanese Tea Ceremony is not only a class available here at Pepperdine, but it is a way to learn about the rich culture and history of Japan.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the headmaster of the Urasenke School, the largest tea school in Japan, will visit Pepperdine.
Dr. San Shositsu will be giving a lecture in Smothers Theatre and performing the tea ceremony, or “Chakai,” for the students in the class.
“Dr. (Glen T). Webb and I are personal friends of his,” said professor Carol St. John-Webb. “He will be celebrating his 50th year by teaching tea in North America, and we invited him to come to Los Angeles.
“He said he wanted to come and we are very honored that he will be spending time with us,” she continued.
According to St. John-Webb, Shoshitsu’s mission is to bring peace to the world through a bowl of tea and he has set up many tea training programs throughout the world.
“He’s a very charismatic man and we are looking forward to his demonstration,” St. John-Webb said. “He is also very close to retiring. Usually the headmaster dies before it (the school) goes to the next person.”
Shositsu is the 15th generation headmaster and continues the longstanding traditions of the tea ceremony.
“It is amazing that we get to experience this 500-year-old tradition first hand,” said class member Jim Alvarano.
At Pepperdine, the course includes studying the culture of Japan such as the art, calligraphy, ceramics and flower arranging practices. It also includes the procedure of serving tea.
“Our goal is to help students learn about the Japanese culture so they will know Japanese manners and how to behave in the setting,” St. John-Webb said. “Because the world is so small it helps to get in touch with how the Japanese feel about things, this way the Japanese have more respect for you and you have more respect for them.”
The class also teaches students to avoid acts that would be offensive in Japan and draws in students from many majors including business and theater.
“I love to study different cultures and travel,” class member Lauren Bullock said. “This class just seemed more practical than other classes.” Other students shared a positive view of the program.
“The class adds diversity to the curriculum, it’s very hands on,” student Brittany Harris said.
By attending a lecture series and by practicing two hours a week, students learn the procedure for serving tea in Japan and satisfy their non-western heritage requirement.
“The procedure for serving tea is very detailed,” St. John-Webb said. “It requires you to concentrate and the idea (of the class) is to practice so much that it becomes natural. (The ceremony) is choreographed like a dance and it is like meditation for me. Once you get past learning, it is something your body just does.”
For the teachers of this class, the tea ceremony has been a part of their lives for a long time. The Webbs made their first trip to Japan in 1964 and have a long relationship with the country.
“Dr. Webb and I started studying tea in 1981, when we were asked to teach a class at the University of Washington,” St. John-Webb said. “We went to Japan and studied for four months, which included three hours of lecture and three-four hours of procedure daily. In 1987, we came here to Pepperdine and started the Asian program.”
While teaching students about the tea ceremony, St. John-Webb has learned a few lessons herself.
“The tea ceremony has made me have a lot of respect for people and things, I didn’t handle things as carefully before,” St. John-Webb said. “I am more connected with nature now. I can become one with nature and everyone and lose myself (in the ceremony).”
The purpose of the tea ceremony and the tearoom itself is to connect with nature. In Japan, the tearooms are outside and do not have any heating or air conditioning, in order to experience nature.
Nearly every aspect of the intricate ceremony has symbolic significance. For example, the sharing of thick tea, “Koicha,” symbolizes becoming one with everyone in the room. The tea itself is also very healthy and contains vitamin C and antioxidants.
February 14, 2002