SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This chapter explores the relationship between heritage and ethnicity construction in diasporic contexts by examining how the tea ceremony in the US can facilitate a sense of Japaneseness. This is accomplished by (1) explicitly marking Japaneseness through ethnic contrasts, (2) forging commonalities within implicit ethnic boundaries, and (3) providing a channel for non-ethnic accomplishments such as developing social status. In conclusion, the chapter highlights the continuities in the way that tea is marked as Japanese not only in the diaspora, but also in the homeland. It also stresses the important of not reading everything through the lens of ethnic identity. The tea ceremony can be more or less “ethnic” depending on the situation and may not always express Japaneseness.