The 'KIZUNA' event for December was a Japanese tea ceremony workshop, "The Pleasure of a Simple Bowl of Tea", held in conjunction with the COCOLOIKI project, which is operated by the Education and Research Unit for Regional Alliances, Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research (C-PIER).
The venue was Kanjoan, a well-known tearoom whose name means a "hut in which to be at ease and free of concerns". It is an exquisite three-tatami-mat tearoom that is part of a renovated Japanese-style old house located in northwest Kyoto City.
The teacher was Mr Michael Drzmisek Sozui, a Swiss-born Urasenke tea master, who taught participants the spirit and art of the tea ceremony in a humorous way.
The event included a practice session and a tea time with seasonal sweets.
The entire workshop was conducted in English, creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere in which international students asked questions without hesitation.
The event provided a great opportunity for the participants to learn about Japanese traditional culture and history as well as to get to know and make friends with other students.
Participants learning how to make Japanese tea
Question and answer session with Japanese sweets
Mr Michael Drzmisek making preparations for a tea-making session
Commemorative photo
