During the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the Japanese national baseball team has delighted fans with a distinctive celebration known as the 'tea ceremony pose,' initiated by pitcher Kimitaka Kitayama of Nippon Ham Fighters. The inspiration arose when superstar Shohei Ohtani from the Dodgers asked Kitayama for a creative way to express joy on the field, prompting Kitayama to brainstorm ideas so intensely that it impacted his sleep schedule.

Initially, Kitayama's first proposal was rejected, leading him to showcase a version of the tea-drinking gesture before a practice game against Orix, which did not gain traction. However, the pose gained newfound life when it was displayed shortly before another practice game against Hanshin, where outfielder Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs performed the pose after hitting a home run, further encouraging his teammates to adopt this unique celebration during their offensive plays.

The team's previous WBC campaign had been marked by the 'pepper mill performance' popularized by Lars Nootbar of the Cardinals, which fostered team unity in a short timeframe. Kitayama's tea-themed celebration reflects his Kyoto roots and embodies Japan's cultural connection to the art of tea, bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern sports celebrations. Such creative expressions serve as a way to strengthen team camaraderie and engage with fans on a deeper level during major international competitions.