Unity in Community: Japan

Japan is a country of contrast. It is an ancient, soulful and wise land, full of temples, tea fields, and traditions. Yet simultaneously, it is also a modern, high-functioning society with high-speed bullet trains, hyper-organized cities and posh supermarkets lined with perfectly engineered oranges costing about $20 apiece! Japan is a perfect polarity within one distinct culture: ancient and modern, time-honored and cutting-edge, ceremonial and technological.

Whether in the wooden floored tea and miso shops or the electronic mega marts, Japan will amaze you - and if you open your heart to all the structured beauty that it has to offer, it will also change you. As a traveler in Japan, you are invited to stay present, to stay in a constant state of wonder and curiosity, to notice and cherish every moment, every aspect of life.

There is something awe-inspiring about the way that Japan is so completely different, so reverse from the United States. In many respects, the US appreciates space and vibrancy. We value largess and recognize status through accumulation and consumption. Contrast that with Japan, where structure and order are valued, as is the ability to minimize. Efficiency, with everything from food to space, is honored. Neither culture is better than the other, they are simply disparate views of the world. There is much about Japan that we can learn and appreciate.

Take, for example, the Japanese palate where fermented red beans and dried fish flakes lend that elusive umami flavor to most foods. Even the tea is often grown with extra nitrogen in the soil or shaded for some time before harvest to impart a more rich, smooth, oily umami-like essence. This contrasts sharply with the tannic tea and tangy flavors we enjoy more in the West.

CUISINE

Cha-kaiseki is the food served just ahead of a tea ceremony. Small and artfully prepared, it’s as beautiful and delicate as it is delicious. The Japanese value locally grown and produced food, so the selections are always seasonally inspired. They are a reflection of what is happening in nature: cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring, summer’s bounty of strawberries, peaches or goya, followed by autumn’s provision of chestnuts and sweet potatoes. Winter is the season for soups, savory dishes and the harvest of the citrus orange-like fruits of yuzu and mikan. 

To satisfy a sweet tooth, Japanese desserts offer a more subtle sweetness. Wagashi are the small delicacies served after a tea ceremony. They are gorgeous little handmade works of art. Guests are honored with a variety of small sweets like mochi - made with sticky rice and red bean mash - representing the unique flavors of the season and the region where they are served. Wagashi are offered as gifts after a tea ceremony, during festivals and after a business or personal trip.

Teas from Japan

Tea harvest in Japan is a highly structured process. It starts carefully picking the tea at exactly the right time when the leaves are at their peak. Then, the leaves are dried and sorted according to leaf grade: fine, small, medium and large. Once categorized, a buyer selects their own blends based on personal preferences. Different combinations provide unique tastes and costs depending on what a buyer is looking for. 

Japanese tea ceremonies are an opportunity to relax within the framework of a highly ordered tradition. The ceremony recognizes ancient practices by celebrating with a simple yet meticulous and disciplined process. Guests are invited to prepare mentally and spiritually, set aside the concerns of outside life, be fully present, and step into a spiritual moment where the ‘now’ is appreciated and savored.