Hello everyone, I'm Keko, one of the online staff members.
Today, I’d like to share a familiar Japanese phrase that has its roots in tea culture and daily life:
"Nichijou-sahanji" (日常茶飯事)
This phrase can be translated as “an everyday occurrence” or “something routine,” but its literal meaning is “daily tea and rice.”
Tea and rice have long been staples of Japanese life, representing the simple, essential elements of daily sustenance. Over time, the phrase came to symbolize the ordinary and routine parts of life—those things we might take for granted but that form the foundation of our days.
In modern usage, "nichijou-sahanji" often refers to events or actions that are so commonplace they hardly attract notice. However, when you think about it, there’s a quiet beauty in these everyday moments. Brewing a cup of tea, sharing a meal with loved ones, or even a brief pause to reflect—all of these are small yet meaningful parts of life.
For me, making tea is a daily ritual that reminds me to find joy in the “ordinary.” Whether I’m enjoying a soothing cup of Bancha in the afternoon or preparing a refreshing Sencha after a meal, each moment is an opportunity to reconnect with the simplicity and richness of daily life.
What are the “tea and rice” moments in your day? I encourage you to take a moment to appreciate them—they are the threads that weave the fabric of a meaningful life.
Until next time, may your everyday moments be as fulfilling as tea and rice! 🌸
