I introduce a book today. I saw it at the book store the other day, it looked interesting and I tried reading it. “Everyday is a good day: 15 happiness taught by ‘Tea'” (only in Japanese) by Noriko Morishita.
First I introduce the overview.
Twenty-five years have passed since I began learning tea. Everyday I stumbled upon my job and kept searching for my whereabouts with anxiety. In the sorrow of broken heart, death of my father, when I noticed, there was “tea” beside me. Freedom that has come to me in a straitjacket of rules. A mind resting that “Only staying here is okay”. I smell rain, I can hear one grain of rain… Together with the pleasures of tasting the seasons with five senses, “I am alive now!” I spell that impression vividly.
Through tea learning, hints are drawn to better live everyday life. It is a story that links well with events occurring in the course of the hero’s life and learning in the tea classroom.
The story is connected, so it is very easy to read as each of the 15 chapters is given awareness titles. The reason why I bought it at a bookstore is because the title of this chapters are very interesting.
—–
Prologue
Creatures called tea people
Chapter 1
I know that “I do not know anything”
Chapter 2
Things not to think with your head
Chapter 3
Focus your feelings on “Now”
Chapter 4
Look and feel
Chapter 5
Look at lots of “Real”
Chapter 6
Taste the seasons
Chapter 7
Connecting with nature through five senses
Chapter 8
Right now, right here
Chapter 9
Leaving yourself to nature and having time
Chapter 10
You can stay as it is
Chapter 11
Farewell is sure to come
Chapter 12
Listen to your inner ears
Chapter 13
On rainy days, listen to the rain
Chapter 14
Wait for growth
Chapter 15
Live in the long term
—–
How about that? Would you like to read the book looking at only the title of each chapter?
I think that kimonos, flower arrangement, and other Japanese traditional culture are like spending days in the same way as this book. Then the title “Everyday is a good day” is one of the Zen teaching, interpretation varies from person to person. I think teaching means honestly and brightly and fun to live, keep in mind that every day is a favorable day while carefully holding nature closely everyday. Also, since the expression of sound (onomatopoeia) is diverse in the sentence, reading comfortable. Then, technical terms relating to tea, seasonal words, Japanese sweets, ukiyo-e, hanging scrolls, and Zen teachings also appear, so you can learn about things other than tea. After all what you learn is the same thing, just different what to learn through.
And one sentence I thought was particularly good is below.
I thought that “tradition” is old, but it was not the case. The authentic tradition was modern and innovative. At that time, I had an “eyes” of a Frenchman 100 years ago longing for “Japonism” and I was watching “foreign country” of Japan.
I also started learning Japanese culture in recent years, it is exactly like this. Every time I have surprises and learning, I think that it is really modern, innovative and cool. Shamefully with all things I do not know, there are surprises that I can not think of my country’s culture but I wish I could gradually make it my own.
And it seems that this book will be made into a movie in fall, looking forward to it. Finally the words of the book band are also impressive so I introduce.
I thought that “tradition” is old, but it was not the case. The authentic tradition was modern and innovative. At that time, I had an “eyes” of a Frenchman 100 years ago longing for “Japonism” and I was watching “foreign country” of Japan.
If you want to meet, you must meet. If you like someone, you have to say that you like.
Let’s celebrate when the flowers bloom. If you fall in love, let’s get drowned. If you are happy, share it.
When you are happy, you embrace that happiness 100%.
Perhaps it is all human beings can do.
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