Soto TAKEI : Tea Master
“The tea ceremony can be equally enjoyed by anyone with sensibility and compassion for others”
The tea ceremony held by Mr. Sōtō Takei might be a little different from what you have imagined. He does not talk about the difficult etiquette of tea ceremony, but he casually entertains the guests with many and varied subjects, ranging from the origin of the Japanese language to the Silk Road in a phantasmagoric manner. Saying, “This is the tea I’ve been telling you about,” he presents refreshing fragrant cold tea to his guests who proceed to savor it and smile with satisfaction at its exquisite sweetness. “With the tea ceremony, as long as it is based on the affirmation of Nature, anything goes.” Mr. Takei speaks softly and seems a bit proud.
He says that the tea ceremony is “a culture that requires neither special skills nor talents.” The only thing that is important is the communication that the sharing of tea inspires, spreads and harkens back to tea. Anyone can carry out the ceremony of preparing the tea and serving it. Even those with physical disabilities, as long as they have the sensibility and the compassion for others, can enjoy the tea ceremony.
As his father used to run a French restaurant, he has a much greater interest in food than other people. He believes that the experience of enjoying delicious meals with those who are important to him, enriches him both physically and spiritually. When he was in college, he came into contact with the tea ceremony and was deeply moved by its culture of sharing between the host and his guests. Without waiting to complete his college education, he decided become a tea master.
With the tea ceremony that he held in the local Yogakuji-Temple as the start, he was invited by other groups of tea ceremony, leading him to establish bonds with Buddhism, Shintoism and all kinds kinds of corporate groups that enabled him to realize “Tea Ceremony on a Cruise”. His success has continued to this day. What has attracted charming people to join him was his single-minded pursuit in what he loved. He does not belong to any school of tea ceremony, nor does he accept any disciples. He simply transmits the pleasure of the tea ceremony as a tea master. The stories that he tells come from the collaborations with his companions who love him. The way he forges ahead in his chosen path continues to bring him many companions. It is most interesting.
