American kanji pioneer finds fulfilment beyond Japan's toughest exam

HAMAMATSU, Japan (Kyodo) -- A decade after becoming the first non-Japanese to pass Japan's most challenging Kanji Aptitude Test, Bret Mayer has largely distanced himself from his kanji expertise. The 44-year-old American has instead embraced a variety of interests, from traditional tea making to legal studies, fueled by an insatiable curiosity and the belief that true fulfillment lies in continuous learning.

At a tea-rolling dojo in Shizuoka Prefecture, Mayer, now immersed in the craft, remains captivated by the written language, even pointing out unique kanji readings in objects around him. After meeting his instructor, Miwaji Suzuki, and his wife, Mayer leads him towards the tea-rolling table, where he gently moves steamed tea leaves between his palms, describing the process as meditative.

While tea now occupies a significant portion of Mayer's life, he acknowledges that its satisfaction differs from the mental exercise of kanji. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayer sought a new challenge and found it in tea, a craft deeply rooted in Japanese culture and personal history. Inspired by his late father-in-law, who shared tea with Mayer and his father, Mayer enrolled in the Nihoncha (Japanese Tea) Instructor Certification Program and began practicing with a local tea grower.

Six years later, Mayer has earned apprentice-level certification and is preparing for the instructor examination in September, while also working to establish a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of temomi (tea-rolling). Despite initially fearing public speaking, Mayer has found a newfound comfort in the spotlight, crediting his kanji studies for building his confidence.