Magazine F: Tea (Issue 25)

Tea, a drink made by brewing tea leaves in hot water, has developed into a unique favorite food based on its thousands of years of history, reflecting the culture of the region and the era. Strictly speaking, green, white, yellow, blue, and black tea made from the leaves of the tree belonging to the family Camellia sinensis are called teas.  It is common to include substitute teas, flavored teas, and iced tea markets represented by herbal teas in the category of tea. In the oriental tea culture centered in Japan, China, and Taiwan, the afternoon tea culture developed mainly in the United Kingdom, not only drinks, but also tea tools, tableware, and sweets are naturally connected in a single ceremony and are considered a kind of comprehensive art. Since the pandemic, the demand for health-functional teas has increased, and they are rapidly becoming popular as wellness drinks.

Tea has a powerful power that connects people. Sharing a cup of tea may be very simple, but it allows for non-verbal communication that transcends any cultural barrier. Tea is also a blessing from nature. It brings us closer to nature and reminds us of its potential and beauty.

 

Shinichiro Ogata, Founder of Simplicity

The tea is the focal thing that keeps the ceramic work going. The very act of drinking tea points the way forward. So I don’t need any external stimuli or inspiration. You don’t even have to look at your phone or go to an art museum to see an exhibition. You already have all the answers in the cup.

 

Steve Harrison, Ceramic Artist