Picture of tea ceremony set of dishes and utensils and woman's hands resting on laps.

As conflicts roil nations, a pause for tea gives peace a chance

The notion of ‘tea diplomacy’ is centuries old. Today, a global organization convenes tea ceremonies to promote peace and help bridge cultural and political divides.

“The core spirit of Japanese tea culture is harmony,” says Akiko Kawai. She founded the global group Sakura Cha Meet to convene tea ceremonies that encourage political bridgebuilding.
PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE

This story appears in the April 2021 issue of National Geographic magazine.

This content is Subscriber-Exclusive
You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.

Unlock this Nat Geo Premium content–and much more

Want to keep exploring? Unlock this exclusive story and more with Nat Geo Premium.
Already a subscriber?
Sign In

Read This Next

What bacteria lurk in your city? Consult the bees.
Is melatonin giving you nightmares?
Why are these orcas killing sharks and removing their livers?

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet