Japanese Story: The Samurai and the Tea Master
A long time ago there lived a great Tea Master. He was an elderly, small and
frail man. He was known throughout the countryside where he lived for his
beautiful Tea Ceremony. His work was so good that one day the Emperor heard
about him and summoned him to the Palace to perform this special ceremony.
The quiet, little Tea Master received this invitation from the Emperor. He
packed his belongings, placed them on his back and started on a long journey by
foot to the Palace.
After many long days the little man arrived and performed the ceremony for the
Emperor. The Emperor was so impressed! He presented the Tea Master with the
highest honor that he was allowed. He presented him with the two Japanese swords
of the Samurai.
The Tea Master accepted the swords. He bowed to the emperor, placed the swords
on his back, picked up his belongings and started his journey home.
Two days later the little man was walking through a small country village when
he was spotted by the Samurai that protected that area. He was a great and
powerful Samurai. At first the Samurai could not believe his eyes. Where those
swords? What was this little frail man doing with them?!
The Samurai confronted the little man. “How dare you make a mockery of all
Samurai! I can not stand for this dishonor. We will meet here on this place in
the morning and correct this!”
The two men bowed to each other and went their separate ways. The Tea Master, of
course, was in a panic. What should he do?
That evening he sought the advice of an elderly Samurai teacher. The old man
said, “First, in the morning, you are going to die.” Then he went silent. The
Tea Master asked, “Is there nothing I can do?” The teacher replied, “Yes, make
tea.”
In the morning the Tea Master and the Samurai met in the village. They bowed to
each other, and then each drew their swords. The great Samurai looked down his
sword at the Tea Master. The Tea Master looked down his sword with all the
focus, care and attention…..of making tea.
The great Samurai stepped back, replaced his sword, bowed and said, “Please
excuse me, I have been mistaken.”