What can a bowl of tea teach students about culture and being present? On Tuesday, April 7, English faculty member and Writing Studio Director John Rearick along with students in his Japanese Literature in Translation course participated in a traditional tea ceremony.

The tea master, Sensei Keiko Kitazawa, and her assistant, Yuko Puglisi, are part of Tea Murasaki, which is dedicated to sharing the tea ceremony with schools and other groups. According to Rearick, a chance introduction at a tea ceremony in Manhattan years ago grew into a meaningful partnership. “I first heard of them when I attended a tea ceremony they did for the Academy for Teachers in Manhattan. Sensei Kitazawa and Puglisi-san came to Poly two years ago to show my Japanese literature class the tea ceremony. They made a big impact on my students, and they really appreciated our beautiful campus with its flowering trees,” said Rearick.

History & Ritual of the Japanese Tea Ceremony 

According to The Met, the tea ceremony in its modern form dates back to the sixteenth century. “The tea ceremony is a ritualized practice in which tea is consumed in a specialized space with codified procedures. The act of preparing and drinking matcha, the powdered green tea used in the ceremony, is a choreographed art requiring many years of study to master … In this space, often surrounded by a garden, the participants temporarily withdraw from the mundane world.” 

It was in the light-filled Gazzani Room on the Dyker Heights campus that students were invited to slow down, reflect on the value of studying and embracing another culture’s traditional practices, and appreciate the present moment and the people around them. It’s Rearick’s hope that the experience would foster a deeper understanding of Japanese traditions while offering students a meaningful perspective on their own lives.

Japanese Literature in Translation Course

Designed to introduce students to the richness of Japanese literature and deepen their understanding and appreciation of non-Western texts and literary traditions, the course explores poems, novels, and stories from Japan.

 “I started Japanese Literature in Translation class because there’s a lot Americans can learn from studying the literature of other cultures. The class is a very brief survey of Japanese literature from mythology to the modern day. [Peter and Isabel Malkin Endowed Chair in English] Peter Nowakoski and [Head of Upper School] Sarah Bates have been very supportive. While I love English and American literature, it’s important that our curriculum acknowledges that there are other literatures too, ones that might be far older than ours. By studying Japanese literature, students get a chance to see another culture and reflect on the strengths and challenges we have at home.”

Studying Japanese language and literature has opened Emma Auger-Domínguez ’26 to a culture she previously knew little about. For her, the tea ceremony reinforced lessons in respect and empathy. “Through the tea ceremony, I learned about the customs surrounding the practice and the importance of showing respect for everyone in the space. I believe that these are important lessons to carry with me in all settings.” Reflecting on the impact the course has had on her, she added, “Everyone should have the opportunity to learn about Japanese literature because it exposes you to a different perspective. It has the power to encourage empathy and broaden one’s worldview.”

Lessons from the Tea Ceremony

Highlighting the mindfulness at the heart of the ceremony, Rearick noted, “I think the traditional tea ceremony is the antidote to our tendency to consume food and drinks on the go without appreciating how things are made and what they taste like. There is a Japanese saying associated with the tea ceremony, ichigo ichie, which translates to, basically, ‘one time, one place.’ It means that we have to appreciate the present moment and those we are with, since nothing is permanent. That is a powerful lesson for everyone.”

Rafael Giacomelli ’26 shared that the tea ceremony left a strong impression on him, particularly the care and precision involved in every step of the ritual. “I was really impressed by the level of care and detail that went into preparing the tea. Every part of the ceremony mattered, from how you hold the bowl to where you place your utensils and the specific mannerisms you follow. It showed me how important the tea ceremony is in Japanese culture, and how something that may seem minor in the West can be deeply sacred in Japan.”

An Immersive Experience

The ritual offered Christopher Paidarakis ’27 and his classmates a richer appreciation of Japanese culture and the meaning embedded in every gesture. He also noted that tea itself was unique. “We learned that every movement in the ceremony has meaning, from how the tea is prepared to how it is served and received. It emphasizes respect, mindfulness, and tradition. The tea was very different from what you would get at a supermarket. I am very glad to have been a part of this ceremony.”

That sentiment was echoed by Raymond Xie ’27, who noted that participating in the tea ceremony deepened his connection to Japanese culture and made the class feel more immersive by building on an experience he had previously in Japan. “It reminded me of my trip to Japan, where I also experienced a traditional tea ceremony. The matcha we made tasted much more authentic than what you would find at H Mart.” He added,  “It made the class feel more real and expanded my understanding of the culture.”

The Quiet Beauty of Simplicity

The ceremony was a serene experience that encouraged James Resnick ’26 to appreciate the beauty in life’s simple rituals. “The tea ceremony was a complete joy to be a part of. The experience was calming and interesting, and it helped me reflect on how we as a society often take simple things for granted. It emphasized the beauty in the simplicity of certain processes in life, and I really enjoyed that. I hope this tradition continues into the future for other classes!”