KARACHI: Different shades and flavours of Japan were offered at the second day of the event marking the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Japan, where the highlight of the evening was the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Tea Master Mamoru Saito was present and broke down and explained different elements that involved the tea ceremony. According to Master Mamoru Saito harmony is an integral part of the tea ceremony and to open each other’s hearts. “The first item present in the tea room is the wall scroll with traditional Japanese style of writing on it. This calligraphy reflects the theme of today’s ceremony, ‘Congenial spirits — shines with each other’.” The calligraphy was also translated into Urdu and displayed right next to the scroll.

The second item essential in a tea room is a flower which represents nature and that allows one to feel the beauty and dignity through a simple yet deep and profound beauty.

Master Mamoru Saito got ready to prepare the tea for the guests, which was served with three types of sweets. He also explained the importance of the green traditional silk cloth which purifies and cleanses the tea utensils. The gentle handling of the utensils, and the reverence and respect given to each process of tea making had the guests enthralled with the grace of and respect given by Master Mamoru Saito.

There was also Japanese food to sample from, with the shrimp and vegetable tempura with rice a big hit. Live cooking of Okonomiyaki added diversity to the cuisine. A kind of Japanese pancake, the Okonomiyaki is made of flour, egg, dashi stock, yam paste, cabbage, spring onion and minced chicken. The chefs cooking live as well as their volunteers did not get a moment’s rest as the crowd flocked again and again to get second helpings.

Japanese toys such as kendama and takeuma were introduced to Pakistani audiences and demonstrations onstage of the toys greatly entertained the children present in the audience. And the children were not far behind. One after the other Pakistani and Jap­anese children, dressed in the traditional shalwar kameez, took part in musical collaborations that centred on peace and brotherhood between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2017