Tsuki-Musubi

Born and raised in Japan, Mana Iwata has practiced the Japanese tea ceremony for 18 years in the Omote-senke tradition. She also has extended international experience: she is an alumna of the University of Edinburgh, worked at Historic Environment Scotland, and has hosted tea ceremonies across Scotland at venues such as Melrose Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, the Japanese Garden at Cowden, and a community centre in Galashiels.

Through the Japanese tea ceremony, or the way of tea, she aims to help people notice subtle beauty in daily life and cultivate a heart enriched by mindfulness.

The name of her project, Tsuki-Musubi, is inspired by a Zen phrase: ‘Scooping water, the moon rests in my hands’. In Japanese, tsuki means moon, and musubi (old Japanese) means to scoop water with both hands. Together, they evoke the image of holding clear water in your palms, reflecting the moon’s gentle light. This scene represents cherishing fleeting, beautiful moments. Through the Japanese tea ceremony, she hopes to contribute to a world where people feel truly rich in heart.

Instagram: tsukimusubi_official