A cerimônia do chá como fator de identidade cultural para imigrantes japoneses e seus descendentes no Brasil

This article makes use of a traditional Japanese art, tea ceremony, to examine the attitudes of immigrants who have to face cultural assimilation. In order to do that the author draws a parallel between Brazilian history after World War II and the behavior of immigrants and their descendants since then. Issei (first generation) and (second generation) led different ways since the end of the war. Enjoying a more economically stable situation, and having nowhere to go back to (since Japan had lost the war), the issei went back to their roots and started learning tea ceremony. On the other hand, the nissei needed to assimilate the Brazilian culture if they were to ascend economically and socially. However, since the 80’s Japan has played a central role in the world’s economy and politics. Therefore, there is a new interest in its traditional culture. The research revealed that, presently, not only are nissei and sansei (third generation) willing to learn tea ceremony, but also Brazilians who are non-Japanese descendants.