#SODA OFFROAD RACING | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

941injapan · 1 year ago

Text

May 30th --- Tea ceremony

3rd day in Japan and I've got to say, the moment I think this trip can't get any cooler, it does. This morning we went to the Hama-rikyu Gardens for my first Japanese tea ceremony. This was such an incredible experience. Not only was it the real deal, but this ceremony was conducted by one of the most revered tea masters in all of the world. I feel like it is such a specific and odd flex, but I think that it is so sick that I can say I did this. I appreciated the attention to detail, and the proper and deliberate technique used in the ceremony. The surrounding park was massive, and the view of the lush greenery flowing up to massive skyscrapers is truly a unique sight to see. After our tea ceremony, a good amount of our group mates went to a sushi spot tucked away around Ginza. I ordered the Toyama bay house specialty set, and I'm starting to notice a trend here with food. Many of the flavors here are not the textbook definition of delicious. Spanish food back home has tons of seasoning, and you tear up a whole bunch of it and feel full. Here, eating is not just cause you're hungry, but to have an experience with one of your 5 senses, the sense of taste. With such different flavors, complexions, and freshness, it's hard for me to describe it because I've never contextualized what these flavors even are. Something beyond salty, sweet, bitter, tangy, and all of our other words to describe flavor are present in these foods. I also got some horse mackerel sushi and grape soda and they both hit the spot. I walked out not full, but also not hungry. So strange, considering I'm such a big eater at home. I come back from the gym and I want a big meal to demolish.

Anyway, after this I went to Odaiba. The train ride up was very scenic, especially considering the trip over the bridge to get to Tokyo Bay. I saw the unicorn gundam statue, much bigger than the pictures I must say. I bought my first ever Gundam, an exclusive kit only found at that store. All of those models are so intricate, and truly can be considered art. One thing I noted was how western Odiaba felt, maybe it has to do with its proximity to the port, so people there may have an affinity for international goods? Anyway, I saw the Tokyo big sight and also a store called A pit autobacs. A 3-story facility for everything performance cars. 1st floor was the cleanest mechanic service center I have ever seen in my life. 2nd floor was simple parts like wipers and floor mats, collectibles, magazines, manga, and offroading equipment. The 3rd floor was my favorite. Specialty performance parts. Coilover kits, fully built race-ready engines, performance brakes, turbos, and full exhausts. The stuff I saw up there goes for ridiculous prices in the States, I felt so honored to be around such superior motorsport equipment. I bought a genuine TRD shirt because I'm a big Toyota guy, then went home. Every time I come back to the hotel, I have such good items. When I call my parents I tell them I got a bunch of loot like a pirate has treasure.

I wanted to double back on the readings for today about the tea ceremony. The sophisticated nature of this cultural experience traces back in Japanese history a long way. The samurai, or ruling class, would host these ceremonies for many reasons. Flaunting wealth, discussing politics, and negotiating peace and business. The entrances to the tea house were low and narrow, so everyone who walks in must be humbled and forced to bow, as well as leave their sword because it won't fit. This established a level and even playing field for those attending. The tea would be enjoyed and matters would be handled. I found it particularly interesting that after WWII, the Japanese switched to more Western means of socialization such as golf. Overall, the tea ceremony experience was impactful, and the context of the readings was useful.

See pictures here

0 notes