The Art of Silence ~Sado and Kado~
The Art of Silence ~Sado and Kado~
Sado ** Brief Explanation ** History Kado ** Brief Explanation
: SADO :
Brief Explanation
Sado is a traditional manner of making and drinking tea when there is a visitor. It is also called Sa no Yu. In Sado, we use powered green tea, which is different from common green tea.
Sado was completed in the sixteenth century by Sen no Rikyu, who took in the spirit of simplicity, "Wabi Sabi", and "Ichigo Ichie", meaning "Every occasion of extending hospitality to another person is a particular occasion never to recur in one's lifetime, so one should try to make the occasion perfect".
In Sado, the host heartily prepares the hanging scrolls and flowers to display on the alcove, and the utensils needed for Sado. On the other hand, the guests cordially appreciates the host's hospitality. Every action in Sado is made to look beautiful. Sado begins with the host offering some sweets to the guests. The sweets should be carefully chosen to harmonize with the season. Also, we must coordinate the tea utensils to express our feelings to the season. Next, the host prepares to make the tea. The host puts some powered green tea into the tea cup, and pours the hot water, boiled by a charcoal brazier. The tea is mixed with a bamboo tea whisk until it has foamed, and finally offers it to the guests. To show the utensils to the guests is another important manner.
Sado is an aesthetic of "hospitality" and "utensils". The host must first, fix the garden and prepare the hanging scrolls, utensils, and teakettle inside the room. These are cultures which the Japanese have protected and promoted. Sado is the "world of Japanese beauty". There must also be warmth running between the host and guests. The basic principles of Sado are expressed in the words, harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. People today have almost forgotten to care about others, but even in this world, Sado is a culture to respect others and yield a calm mind. Sado is Japan's original spiritual culture of which we can boast to the world.
History
Tea came into Japan in the Heian era. When Saicho and Kukai brought back some Chinese tea from China, people thought those were only medicine. Again in the Kamakura era, Eisai brought back some Chinese tea, however, it was still thought of as medicine. In the Muromachi era, tea arrived from China again, but no spiritual feelings were put into it. In the time of the 8th Shogun Yoshimasa of the Muromachi era, Murata Jyuko thought up of "Soan Sa no Yu" which uses not only Chinese, but Japanese utensils. He also founded the four-and-half-mat tea-ceremony room, and created a spiritual world of patience and egotism. Succeeding this spirit, Sen no Rikyu completed the "Soan Sa no Yu" by adding a philosophic mind and aesthetic sense. Sado is also deeply influenced by the Zen thought. In Sado, spiritual purity is essential. This can be the guiding principle for people's lives. The spirit of Sado is universal.
One day, a person asked Sen no Rikyu to tell him what Sado was. Rikyu answered like this.
"Make nice tea so people can drink easily."
"Place the charcoal so the water can boil easily."
"Make sure the room is warm in winter, and cool in summer."
"Arrange the flowers so they look natural." "Make sure the tea-ceremony is not held too early or too late."
"Prepare an umbrella even if it does not seem to rain."
"Take good care of the guests so they can have an enjoyable time."
Rikyu added that these seven manners are Sado. To this, the person got angry, saying that even a three-year old can do these. Rikyu answered,
"Isn't it human who cannot do these things even if they know them? If you can really do them, I will be your pupil."
After the death of Rikyu, his descendants established three Sen houses, which have passed on his "way of tea".
: KADO :
Brief Explanation
Kado (Japanese floral art) is a culture which developed through the Japanese's everyday life. The thing which most influenced Kado, was the beautiful changes of the four seasons. The Japanese, who have grown up seeing the flowers which only bloom for several days, and not the ones blooming all throughout the year, were greatly attached and interested in them, and began to love the nature truly. The beginning of Kado lies back when people were offering flowers to Gods and the Buddha, but purely for their beliefs. Gradually, the religious aspects of these flowers faded, and became flowers only for appreciation. They developed futhermore into Kado, as a traditional art. Until the early Edo era, the flowers arranged in Kado were only the gorgeous flowers used by the people in the upper-class. Though, from the mid-Edo era, when merchants began to get active, a new style of Kado was born, and it spread into the lives of the populace. On the other hand, in Sado (the way of tea), Chakas were born as the flowers which attained the summit for naturalism.
There are four types of Kado: Rikka, Shoka, Nageire-bana, and Mori-bana.
