2008 Woodie Awards
Japanese Tearoom's Grand Opening
Emma Axt
Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: News
Washington and Lee University has once again surpassed the ordinary with the opening of the new Reeves Center tea room in the Watson Pavilion. Students studying Japanese culture are fortunate enough to have this new space to help them study the Japanese tea ceremony.
According to Art History Professor Joan O'Mara, the new tearoom is "as much a work of art as any famous painting." Professor O'Mara explained that for those studying Japanese culture (particularly the tea ceremony), the new tea room is the equivalent of a Chemistry lab for science students.
Professor O'Mara specializes in Japanese Art History, and has taught the Arts of the Tea Ceremony class since 1991. She explained that since the very first time she taught the course, she has wished W&L had a tea room. She has taken students to a tea room five hours away to get experience in a real tea room.
"[The tearoom] is a really big deal," said Professor O'Mara. "Only a handful of college campuses have them." Those studying the tea ceremony at W&L are grateful to have this new space.
"Being able to use the tea room is such a unique privilege, and it really enhances the learning experience," said Jessica Cobb, '08. Cobb is currently taking the Food and Tea in Japan course with Dean Janet Ikeda.
"One of the most important parts of the tea ceremony is your state of mind." Cobb added. "You are expected to leave all worldly desires, gossip, politics, et cetera, outside the tea room so you can focus on the simple beauty of the ceremony itself."
Jacqueline Linton '09 was also enthusiastic about her experience in the new tea room.
"The tea room provides an excellent opportunity to get into the mindset of the Japanese tea ceremony," Linton said. "It promotes a feeling of tranquility, while also allowing for more practical matters involved in tea, such as footwork and spacing. Also, with a resource as knowledgeable as Dean Ikeda, it would be a waste not to utilize her expertise and experience in helping students to understand Japanese culture."
According to Art History Professor Joan O'Mara, the new tearoom is "as much a work of art as any famous painting." Professor O'Mara explained that for those studying Japanese culture (particularly the tea ceremony), the new tea room is the equivalent of a Chemistry lab for science students.
Professor O'Mara specializes in Japanese Art History, and has taught the Arts of the Tea Ceremony class since 1991. She explained that since the very first time she taught the course, she has wished W&L had a tea room. She has taken students to a tea room five hours away to get experience in a real tea room.
"[The tearoom] is a really big deal," said Professor O'Mara. "Only a handful of college campuses have them." Those studying the tea ceremony at W&L are grateful to have this new space.
"Being able to use the tea room is such a unique privilege, and it really enhances the learning experience," said Jessica Cobb, '08. Cobb is currently taking the Food and Tea in Japan course with Dean Janet Ikeda.
"One of the most important parts of the tea ceremony is your state of mind." Cobb added. "You are expected to leave all worldly desires, gossip, politics, et cetera, outside the tea room so you can focus on the simple beauty of the ceremony itself."
Jacqueline Linton '09 was also enthusiastic about her experience in the new tea room.
"The tea room provides an excellent opportunity to get into the mindset of the Japanese tea ceremony," Linton said. "It promotes a feeling of tranquility, while also allowing for more practical matters involved in tea, such as footwork and spacing. Also, with a resource as knowledgeable as Dean Ikeda, it would be a waste not to utilize her expertise and experience in helping students to understand Japanese culture."
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