Presentation on Tea Ceremony: A cultural connection between Humanities students and Japan

The program, organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, in collaboration with the Urasenke Tea Ceremony School of Japan, the Urasenke Tankokai Hanoi Chapter, and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, will be held on March 14, 2025, with the aim of promoting tea ceremony culture and contributing to strengthening cooperative relations between the two countries.

The presentation was not only a cultural exchange activity, but also marked the 30th anniversary of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the establishment of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, and the 10th anniversary of the Urasenke Association in Vietnam, with the participation of many honored guests, including Ms. Kamitani Naoko - First Secretary, Head of the Culture and Information Department, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam; Mr. Yoshioka Norihiko - Director of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam; Mr. Machita Soryu - Vice President of the Urasenke Tea Ceremony Sect of Japan;
Representing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were Prof. Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh - Vice Rector of the university, along with a large number of lecturers and students.

The event also attracted the participation of lecturers and students from universities such as the University of Foreign Languages, the Vietnam-Japan University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, FPT University, and those who love Japanese culture.

In his opening remarks, Professor Lai Quoc Khanh emphasized the role of the Tea Ceremony in connecting people and bringing tranquility and serenity to life. He expressed his appreciation for the cooperative relationship between the University and the Urasenke school, and hoped that students would gain a deeper understanding of the beauty of Japanese culture.

During the presentation, Mr. Machita Soryu shared about the journey of tea in human history, the journey of self-discovery in the Way of Tea, and the four core principles of the Way of Tea: Harmony, Respect, Purity, and Tranquility. This is not only the art of tea appreciation but also a philosophy of life, helping people find balance and respect in daily interactions.

One of the highlights of the event was the Tea Ceremony performance, where Mr. Machita Soryu and the Urasenke tea masters performed right on stage, demonstrating harmony and mutual respect between the tea master and guests.

On the same day, the USSH Tea Ceremony Club also organized a demonstration of the Ryurei ritual – a seated tea ceremony – to make it more accessible to foreigners. The tea preparation process was elaborate, from pouring the water and frothing the tea to the way the tea was served, demonstrating sophistication and respect for the guest.

The presentation on tea ceremony brought to the participants a lot of love for Tea Ceremony - a beautiful cultural feature of Japan. For VNU-USSH students, this was the first time they directly experienced Tea Ceremony and learned more deeply about Japanese culture right on the campus of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.