A Piece of Court Life

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Hello everyone, the past Tuesday of this week our class attended a Japanese Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu) at the Doshisha University in Kyoto. The four of us sat in a small tatami room and observed no action was wasted as our host prepared each individual cup of matcha tea. The taste was very earthy and fresh, but I donโ€™t think I would be able to drink it in excess. After everyone had a cup of tea, we were served special sweets made only in Kyoto, Japan. (See photo) I had taken the yellow one. The texture was different but it was very sweet. Then, we were all were given a chance to make tea for our hosts. We did not have to learn how to preform each movement exactly, but there is a specification for the mixing of the tea. When you mix the matcha into the water with the tea whisk (chasen), be sure to form a little foam on the surface. It definitely adds a distinct look to the tea.

The following Thursday we also attended a Japanese Flower Arrangement (Ikebana) class. Flower arrangements can range from small to large, and short to tall, depending on the style of flower arrangement. The three arrangements we learned of were Rikka Style, Shoka Style, and free style. The Rikka style of flower was developed by Buddhism as a representation of natureโ€™s beauty, and may include around seven branches. While Shoka style consist of only three different branches. Free style can look any way the artist would want it to, and have as many branches as they want. Included are photos of my flower arrangement. 

Check back next week for my final journal while in Japan.

Michael McLeod

<i>*Rainbow Scholarship</i> Hello! My name is Michael McLeod and I am a second-year Computer Engineering Technology student at The Rochester Institute of Technology. Before I came to Rochester, I lived in Punta Gorda, Florida with both my parents and older sister. From time to time I enjoy cooking or baking if we have the right ingredients at home. I donโ€™t make anything special, but it does warm my heart when I can satisfy someoneโ€™s hunger. I love to be in the company of my friends especially when weโ€™re engaged in an activity. For example, this school year I grew fond of playing mahjong at the club at RIT. Iโ€™ve always been interested in how Japanese culture varies throughout the culture, so I wanted to learn the language as soon as I started college. Now, I have been studying Japanese for the past year and a half as my liberal arts concentration, but after hearing about the study abroad program associated with the sequences of classes, from beginner to intermediate, I decided to work on a minor in Japanese Language and Culture. So, this summer I will be going to Kyoto, Japan to study abroad at Doshisha University. There, we will be studying intermediate Japanese, and have a culture class which will include trips to Tokyo, Nara, and possibly Osaka. While in Kyoto, we will be participating in language exchanges with students from the school, so I am looking forward to improving my speaking. Additionally, there will be a one week homestay with a local family. Since I am looking into specializing in telecommunications, I am looking for a better global perspective. This way I would be a more marketable employee for international business whether it is for microelectronic design and development or network management.