Gifting new challenges.
3 min video | 10 minute read | Slowraft Editions #04
A world journey lived through tea.
Ryoichiro Ishimatsu is an esteemed hair stylist and tea master. His thirst to challenge and seek the life he wants has seen him travel from east to west — along the way it’s his intention and mindfulness led him on a path of discovery
Born in rural Japan, what has brought us to Ryo today, has been with him all along.
Where does your story begin?
I am from Hitachi, Oita - the countryside of Japan. After getting my hairdresser's license, I started my career in Tokyo and worked there for seven years.
At that stage in my career, I knew I was seeking something more. At the same time, Japan had a natural disaster—the biggest earthquake that I have experienced. I felt like life was too short not to take a risk. I really wanted to open my eyes and my perspective. I thought, OK, I always wanted to live overseas. This is the time.
Did you move straight to Australia?
On my 27th birthday, I gave myself a gift to fly to San Francisco and learn English. I threw myself into a place full of discomfort, but that's where I gained and got to know myself. San Francisco is such an eye-opening place where no one really cares about where you're coming from, what you are, and your preferences. It was there to coexist. That was beautiful to witness, and I wanted to spend more time and see more of the United States, so I continued my journey to New York. Living in the biggest city in the world for four years with my boyfriend was a challenge that excited me—but with a change in the president, we started to look elsewhere.
We decided to head to Australia, and that was the beginning of our life there. Our relationship went separate, but I stayed in Byron Bay.
We are sitting together after a special tea ceremony - yet we know you as a celebrated hair stylist. How and when did tea ceremonies come into your life?
Hairdressing opened the opportunity for me to get my visa, which eventually led to me starting my own business and having a space to offer my services to my clients.
Whereas tea has always been around my life.
The first time that I experienced a tea ceremony was when I was little. It was whisk tea, and you sat in a circle, passed the bowl from one to the other and had a little sweet. It was really beautiful. However, I felt then that I had to follow so many rules, and it made me feel restricted.
“happiness just came through as I was drinking tea, and there was a lot of reflection. That was the first time I started to look into my inner world and how much this tea brought me to awareness.”
How does tea play a part in the life you lead today?
Living in Australia's natural environment, I enjoyed taking my tea into nature; drinking tea in nature became my ritual. The first time I came to Cloud Hidden was a few years ago. My friend re-introduced me to a tea ceremony, and I sat in the corner. Receiving tea brought back many feelings.
There is nothing you need to do besides drinking tea. This intentional space to be with tea brought back the memory of where I grew up, being around my family and the tea in the house where I grew up. Happiness just came through as I was drinking tea, and there was a lot of reflection. That was the first time I started to look into my inner world and how much this tea brought me to awareness. After that experience, I began to come to tea ceremonies as this meditative practice is almost daily.
Today, you share your ceremonies with others. The calming environment you create greatly contrasts the speed of present-day life. It’s very grounding. How did you become a master of teas?
On my birthday that year, I gifted myself with this course, and I got to learn the practice of tea. That's when I started to be in service of the tea ceremony. I learnt to sit still, be with water, be with fire. After many cups of tea, I was allowed to serve tea for a tea ceremony. I didn't think I was ready. My teacher told me there are two kinds of people when it comes to serving tea. One, they need to slow them down, and then one, they need to push.
It's beautiful to know that there isn't any destination, and then there's always a place to refine. This practice is like home, where no matter where I am or what I'm doing, there's this pathway that I can always come back to. Then, tea, as a teacher, has always told me where I need to return.
You can be with tea simply holding space. And then there's a prayer, but I'm hoping that whoever receives this bowl of tea receives what they need.
Your journeys in life so far seem to be leading you where you need to go. What would you share to others looking to expand their curiosities and experiences?
I spent my 20s in a big city and thought I belonged to it, but when I landed in Byron Bay, surrounded by nature, it reminded me of where I grew up. There's simplicity of lifestyle, not necessarily convenience, but every little thing is more, and you become more intentional. I really enjoy living simply in nature.
Nature is always holding space for us.
