Learning from the Way of Tea：Ichigo ichie

To everyone enjoying Japanese cuisine here in Switzerland, today we would like to share the profound spirituality of Japanese culture. Are you familiar with the beautiful concept of "ichigo ichie" (一期一会), which is treasured in the world of tea ceremony? This beautiful philosophy is deeply rooted in the spirit of hospitality found in Japanese cuisine as well.

What is Ichigo Ichie?

"Ichigo ichie" literally means "one time, one meeting" - a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. In the world of tea ceremony, this teaches us that today's tea gathering will never be repeated in exactly the same way, and therefore we must treasure this present moment and approach it with our whole heart.

This concept originated in the 16th century, during the time of Sen no Rikyū, who perfected the way of tea. Through the tea ceremony, Rikyū taught about the preciousness of human encounters. Even when the same members gather for tea, the season, weather, and state of mind are all different, making each tea gathering completely unique.

The Practice of Ichigo Ichie in Tea Ceremony

Reverence for the Seasons

In tea ceremony, utensils and sweets are chosen according to the season, cherishing the beauty that can only be experienced at that particular time. Spring brings cherry blossom tea bowls, summer calls for cool bamboo flower containers, autumn features tea scoops reminiscent of autumn leaves - everything expresses the "now" of that moment.

Tea practitioners deeply understand the "saijiki" (seasonal almanac) and incorporate the natural transitions of each season into the tea room. For example, around Risshun (the beginning of spring), plum blossoms are arranged; during Keichitsu (awakening of insects), insect-cage shaped incense containers are used; around the summer solstice, bamboo tea scoops that evoke coolness are employed. All of these create a seasonal atmosphere that can only be experienced at that specific moment.

Heartfelt Preparation

From the arrangement of the tea room to the selection of utensils and preparation of sweets, everything is done with heartfelt consideration for that day's guests. The host (teishu) considers the guests' preferences and the season, crafting combinations that will never be repeated in exactly the same way.

The host begins preparations days in advance before welcoming guests. Which hanging scroll to choose, which tea bowl to use for preparing tea, what kind of sweets to serve - all these decisions take into account the guests' personalities, that day's weather, and the seasonal transitions. Even the same utensils can show completely different expressions depending on how they are combined, which is the profound depth of tea ceremony.

Dialogue in Silence

In the tea room, one leaves behind the noise of daily life to commune heart to heart in silence. Even with few words, it becomes a time to deeply sense each other's presence.

The aesthetic of "ma" (meaningful pause/space) unique to the tea room also embodies the spirit of ichigo ichie. Without rushing, one takes time to prepare tea, savor it, and enjoy conversation. This way of experiencing time itself is a luxury rarely found in modern society. The moment of taking the tea bowl in hand, the time spent sipping tea, the silence while examining utensils - all carry special meaning.

The Spirit of Ichigo Ichie in Japanese Cuisine

Reverence for Seasonal Ingredients

Japanese cuisine treasures seasonal ingredients that can only be enjoyed at specific times. Spring bamboo shoots, summer ayu sweetfish, autumn matsutake mushrooms, winter fugu pufferfish - all are gifts of "now," this moment.

The concept of "shun" (peak season) in Japanese cuisine refers to more than just when ingredients taste best. There are three stages: "hashiri" (early season), "sakari" (peak), and "nagori" (late season), each offering different flavors and emotions. For example, with spring bamboo shoots, the "hashiri" shoots just emerging from the ground have wonderful fragrance, "sakari" offers full flavor, and "nagori" is savored with thoughts of next year. This delicate seasonal sensibility is the very expression of the ichigo ichie spirit.

The Craftsman's Skill and Heart

Master chefs observe their guests' expressions and preferences, creating the optimal dish with heartfelt care for each individual. Even with the same menu, subtle adjustments are made for each guest, creating a special dish unique to that person.

Experienced craftsmen read their guests' preferences, physical condition, and mood through dialogue. They might reduce the salt slightly, change the cutting technique, or add a seasonal flower to the presentation. These thoughtful touches create special dishes that exist only for that day and moment - truly the ichigo ichie spirit in action.

Beautiful Encounters with Vessels

In Japanese cuisine, the combination of food and vessels is also ichigo ichie. Vessels chosen to match the season and cuisine make that day's meal more beautiful and delicious.

There is a saying: "cuisine is the clothing of the vessel." Selecting vessels is part of the cuisine itself. The same sashimi appears cool and refreshing on a blue-white porcelain plate, yet dignified and elegant on a black lacquered dish. Spring calls for plates with cherry blossom designs, summer for cool glass vessels, autumn for lacquerware reminiscent of autumn leaves - vessels are also important elements expressing the season. This encounter between vessel and cuisine is truly the aesthetic of ichigo ichie.

The Value of Ichigo Ichie in Modern Times

In the Digital Age

In our modern world surrounded by smartphones and social media, the spirit of ichigo ichie has become even more important. By focusing on the person in front of us, the food before us, and the time we're experiencing now, we can feel true richness.

In modern society, we tend to constantly direct our attention to the next appointment, the next message, the next piece of information. However, the ichigo ichie spirit taught by tea ceremony reminds us of the importance of concentrating completely on the "here and now." The fact that "digital detox" has become a common term shows how modern people tend to forget to treasure "this moment." This is precisely why the spirit of ichigo ichie shines even brighter in contemporary times.

International Understanding

For the multinational community in Switzerland, the spirit of ichigo ichie is a universal value that transcends cultural differences. The heart that cares for others and the feeling of treasuring this present moment are beautiful sentiments common to all cultures.

The European concept of "carpe diem" (seize the day) and the Nordic idea of "hygge" (cozy contentment) share common ground with the ichigo ichie spirit. Though cultures differ, the sensitivity to treasure human connections and appreciate the beauty of the present moment can be considered a universal value.

Practice in Daily Life

The spirit of ichigo ichie can be practiced not only in special tea ceremonies or fine dining, but also in everyday life.

Morning coffee time, meals with family, conversations with friends, observing scenery during commutes - any small moment can be approached with the ichigo ichie spirit. Even walking the same path, the scenery differs with each season. Even talking with the same person, the conversation content changes based on that day's mood and condition. By becoming conscious of the preciousness of "now," daily life becomes richer.

Moments of Experiencing Ichigo Ichie

Harmony with Nature

In tea ceremony, the ichigo ichie experience begins with walking through the garden's roji (pathway). Seasonal flowers and plants, stepping stones wet with morning dew, the sound of bamboo swaying in the wind - all create special moments unique to that day and time.

The spirit of ichigo ichie is also reflected in Japanese garden design. The same garden shows completely different expressions in morning versus evening, spring versus autumn, rainy days versus sunny days. Garden designers nurture gardens over many years so that visitors can discover different beauty throughout the four seasons. This embodies Japan's unique aesthetic sensibility of appreciating beauty that changes with the passage of time.

Communication Beyond Words

In tea ceremony, there is a concept called "ichiza konryū" (establishing harmony in the gathering). This means that all present unite their hearts to create a special space that exists only at that moment.

Verbal conversation is kept to a minimum, while quietly sensing each other's presence. The sound of preparing tea, the sound of placing tea bowls, the rustle of clothing - listening carefully to these subtle sounds and perceiving the other's feelings. This kind of non-verbal communication enables deep interaction that transcends language barriers. In our increasingly globalized world, the value of this "heart-felt" communication is extremely high.

The spirit of ichigo ichie teaches us the preciousness of the "now" moment. Even eating the same food or conversing with the same person creates completely different experiences depending on that moment's mood, season, and environment.

When savoring Japanese cuisine, we hope you will feel this ichigo ichie spirit. May you treasure this moment, this encounter, and this time from the bottom of your heart.

The spirit of "ichigo ichie" taught by tea ceremony holds great meaning for our daily lives. Precisely because we live in a busy modern society, we want to touch this beautiful Japanese spirit and live treasuring each present moment.

Sen no Rikyū left these words: "The way of tea is the same as Buddha's teaching - it exists in ichigo ichie." This profound teaching goes beyond mere tea ceremony etiquette to show us how to live life itself. To treasure each day's small encounters and experiences, living without forgetting a grateful heart - this may be the most important message that the spirit of ichigo ichie conveys to our modern world.