Every September 18, air-raid sirens sound in many Chinese cities.
These are not regular alarms, and they do not mean that a new war is coming. They are sounds of remembrance.
On September 18, 1931, the Mukden Incident, also known in China as the September 18 Incident, took place in northeastern China. It marked the beginning of a long and painful period of war in China and Asia. Every year, the sirens bring back memories of the suffering caused by war and remind us how easily peace can be broken.
For much of human history, war, hunger, poverty, and insecurity were normal parts of life. The peaceful and comfortable life that many people enjoy today is actually quite new.
A safe home, a warm meal, a computer, a trip to another country, or simply sitting down with a cup of tea — these ordinary things are part of a peaceful life that previous generations could not always take for granted.
That is why peace can be easy to overlook.
War divides people. Tea gives us a reason to sit together.
Centuries ago, tea, tea seeds, and tea-making traditions traveled from China to Japan. Over time, tea became part of Japan’s own rich tea culture, including matcha.
Today, people in the West also enjoy Chinese tea traditions, including the gaiwan. A small Chinese tea bowl can sit on a table thousands of miles away from China, and for a few quiet minutes, the distance between people seems much smaller.
Tea does not care about borders or political arguments.
It simply gives us a reason to sit down, slow down, and share a moment.
A peaceful life is something we should never take for granted.
So wherever you are, take a quiet moment.
Hold your tea bowl. Feel its warmth.
And remember how precious an ordinary, peaceful day can be.