茶道を始めたのは、短大に入学してからでした。 中学校の頃から英語や外国の文化に興味があり、外国の文化を知るには自国の文化を知ることが必要だと思いました。高校のときも茶道部があったのですが、その頃は授業も英語、クラブ活動も英語部という毎日で、あまり日本について知ることに目が向きませんでした。
I started learning the tea ceremony at junior college, five years ago. I belonged to the tea ceremony club for two years there.
Until entering junior college, I wasn't aware of the importance of learning Japanese culture. Since junior high school, I have been interested in learning English and different cultures, rather than our own. Almost all of my classes were related to English, such as Foreign Affairs, Current English, Oral Communication, Writing classes, and I was a member of English club. Now that I think I should have started the way of tea at high school also.
*****
お茶のお稽古は週1回、 短大の校舎のお茶室で行われ、夏合宿もありました。毎年恒例の学園祭で開催されるお茶会を目指して練習に取り組んでいました。
We practiced the manners and performances of the tea ceremony once a week for our annual tea party in summer. This picture is of the intensive practice at summer camp.
(We are having sweets, before having tea, at summer camp in 2002)
(My friend is making tea, t summer camp in 2002)
*****
お茶会は大盛況で、２日間で２００人以上ものお客様をお迎えしました。私たちの友人や学園祭に見に来たお客様、東京の他大学の茶道部の方々がお越しくださいました。
The tea party in the summer school festival was the biggest event for us. We welcomed more than 200 guests in total during the two days, about ten to fifteen guests in each party. The guests were came from the tea clubs of other universities, or just came to see our school festival and dropped in the party, besides our friends and families.
(at the reception desk; greet the guests and ask them to write their names on a book )
(with an Japanese American teacher and his son)
(My friends from Waseda University)
(the members of the English Speaking Society, which I belonged to besides the tea club)
(with my friends, in front of the tea room, in 2002)
(The guest are watching the performance and enjoy the silent and relaxed mood)
(the junior fellows in kimono in front, cute like cherry blossoms, in 2002)
(with my friends, in 2002)
I am in the center again: it is not because I like
standing out but just because I was the president 
*****
働き始めてからも、会社の茶道部に入りました。1年ほど続けたのですが、お稽古日が月曜日だったので、仕事との両立が難しくなり、とうとうあきらめてしました。
I also joined the tea club of my company after started to working in Tokyo. Since I had a practice every monday after work, it became difficult for me to get my work done before six o'clock. After about one year, I gave it up.
(at a tea party, with the members of my company's tea club)
*****
・・・が、先日また茶道を始めようと思う出来事がありました！！
短大の先生方とお会いする機会があり、お話をしているうちに、エレガントでチャーミングな先生方に触発され、もう一度始めようと思いました。話す言葉、姿勢、所作が美しいだけでなく、美味しいレストランや質の良い物もよくご存知で、先生方のお話は聞いているだけでも本当に楽しかったです。意外かと思われると思いますが、流行のアーティストや、トリビアもご存知で、茶道以外のことにも興味が旺盛で、素敵なだなぁと思います。私も茶道を通じて、先生方のように日本文化を愛する美しい女性になりたいです。
….. BUT!!
I decied to start it again the other day when I met my teachers of tea club from the junior college! I was deeply impressed, talking with the three teachers.
They have been learning the way of tea for several decades. It is really amazing to keep one thing for so long time, isn't it? It takes about more than 10 years to be certified as its teacher, but it takes a life time to achieve the level of mental discipline. What they inspired me was their courtly manner of speech and an elegant posture with graceful mode and dignity. Besides, they are funny! They have interests in various things except the way of tea. They know a lot more about popular artists than me, they like fashion and makeup, they know very delicious restaurants and the high-quality things, and they even like talking about trivia. I'm sure you will be impressed to see them, too.
That's why I decided to restart the way of tea.
I'd love to be an beautiful and charming woman who loves Japanese culture like them.
(with the teachers of my junior college's tea ceremony club)
