The topic of the month is ‘Japanese art - films’. However, feel free to enjoy any topics with native speakers if you wish. I hope this will provide a cross-cultural learning platform for you to exchange information, opinions and help your deeper understanding of different cultures with native Japanese speakers. You are welcome to attend the session(s) that you are interested in.
 
Date   : 15th of July 2017    (the 3rd Saturday every month)
Time   : Japanese Speaking Session   10:00 am – 10:55 am
              Break                                10:55 am – 11:05 am
              English Speaking Session    11:05 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Waterloo, London
Free of charge
 
Please remember you can support these events with your contributions – the box will be on a table during the events. It will be used to show courtesy (e.g. to buy Japanese snacks) to the native speakers who kindly attend to talk with you. In the case of reaching extra money, it will be donated to the government organisation which helps people who suffer from the natural disasters in Japan.

I look forward to seeing you on 15th of July.
Warm wishes,
 
Mineko Arai
Managing Director
Arai Academy of Japanese Studies

The spiritual aspect is the most important.
The basic principles of Sado are expressed in the words harmony (和-wa), respect (敬-kei), purity (清-sei) and tranquility (寂-jaku).
 
和: Harmony can be created between persons, between objects, among all matters of the world.
      Japanese people cherish the feeling of harmony.
 
敬: In Sado, we should respect everyone and everything without distinction of social status or
​      ranks. When you respect each other, you can understand the sense of mutual understanding.
 
清: In Sado, spiritual purity is essential. Purifying the spirit is a major purpose in the tea
​      ceremony, and of course it is important to purify objects such as the utensils. In order to
      create the environment for this purpose, the host cleanses the tea room and utensils, and
      entertain the guests to be able to spend themselves pleasantly.
 
寂: We can embody tranquility only when we make harmony, respect and purity for ourselves.
 
By learning these, we seek to obtain an ultimate peace of mind. 
 
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Memo by Ms Kyoko Okamoto 18th of June 2017, London