cha-no-yu club

I was challenged this week by @jyokota to capture "What inspires you to be a teacher? How can you capture an image that portrays your feelings for what drives you to work hard to do your job well?

I studied the ancient art of Japanese Tea Ceremony or "cha-no-yu" for nearly 3 years when I lived in Japan. Each week I'd sit and learn all the tedious steps to this art form until it became second nature. Once it became second nature, the calmness and beauty of the form began to emerge. Years ago a couple of students asked my to start the club and it's been going since that time. Students join the club their freshman year and learn from the "sempai," or older students, and enjoy a special little place once a week after the craziness of their American lives where they make a bowl of tea for each other to share. It's a unique experience. It warms my heart when I can sit back at my desk doing some work to get ready for tomorrow and they just do what they do because they like it. Ultimately I teach because I love helping students see the world differently. Studying Japanese is a window into a world far away from ours, and this ancient art form was developed centuries before we were even a country. They are connecting with this ancient art form in modern day, screenfacebooktwitterfastfastfastinformationoverload America. So cool.

[Taffy]

Michael, this is beautifully described. It captures the joy in teaching so perfectly and the image goes with the narrative so well. The idea of creating independence, introducing something new that has the potential to become part of someone's lifelong habits, dispositions, knowledge is the essence of teaching. The link to the tea ceremony -- fantastic. Fav!

[Michael Van Krey]

@jyokota another reason...

[Inge]

Very interesting story and experience...

[Rick Schies]

That sounds quite unique, and what an experience to see the students grasp its significance

[Deni]

How beautiful and very interesting, thank you for sharing this. Fav.

[DreaMaTrix]

Great insight, I've always found it very interesting, great pic

[Daniel]

These two pictures are wonderful even without the commentary. The hand position looks so precise, and I love how the out of focus bowl id framed by the student's arm. Fav

[Michelle]

Love this very genuine portrayal of your passion for your art (Teaching and Photography) There is much to be learnt from the simpler traditional things in life.

[Junko Y]

I can feel the deep concentration you captured here . . . and I love how you are portraying what makes you love what you do as a teacher by showing the impact you have on how your students are engaging in their learning!