By Perry Luckett, TeaManToo

The Japanese tea ceremony—called sadō, chadō (the Way of Tea), chanoyu (hot water for tea), or just ocha (tea)—is a complex ritual rich with meaning and tradition. It’s a ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea—typically in a traditional tearoom with tatami mats on the floor and a hanging scroll or flower arrangement. The tea master hosts up to six guests kneeling on cushions.  [RW]

Two main types of gatherings are related to this ceremony, one informal (the chakai) and one formal (the chaji). They vary in complexity, protocol, and duration. The type of tea used in these ceremonies is usually powdered green tea, known as matcha. Another, less famous ceremony, the senchado, uses leaf tea instead.  [DJ]

The Way of Tea is considered one of the classical Japanese arts of refinement, with schools devoted to teaching the proper way to carry it out. People may study for months or years to learn its intricacies and history, especially because schools can differ on how to conduct and teach the ceremony. [EH]  It takes decades for the host to master the art of serving tea, through study of philosophy, aesthetics, art, and calligraphy, as well as learning the meticulous preparations. [RW]

Today, the tea ceremony is often practiced as a hobby, and tourists can experience it in a number of public venues. Many organizations across Japan offer tea ceremonies of varying formality and authenticity, including at some traditional gardens, culture centers, and hotels. Kyoto and Uji are among the best destinations in the country to enjoy Japan's tea culture.  [JG]

Beyond just serving and receiving tea, one of the tea ceremony’s main purposes is for guests to enjoy the host’s hospitality in an atmosphere removed from the fast pace of everyday life. [JG]  Everything is done for the guests’ wellbeing and enjoyment. All movements and gestures are choreographed to show respect and friendship. Tea masters hand-pick beautiful ceramics with seasonal motifs to match the character of individual guests. They even lay out the utensils at an angle best admired from the attendees’ viewpoint. According to ritual, each tea gathering must be a unique experience, so the host never uses a combination of objects twice. [RW]

Japanese tea ceremony is steeped in history

Although China introduced tea to Japan in the 8th century, only priests and the upper class drank it as a medicinal beverage. The first documented evidence of its celebration is found in a historical text describing how a Buddhist monk named Eichu served tea to the Emperor Saga, the ruler of Japan at the time. The Emperor was on a trip to the village of Karasaki, in the year 815 CE. [DJ]

During the 12th-century CE, a monk named Eisai is believed to have introduced a specific way of preparing tea and also the usage of the main ingredient, the powdered green tea. When he returned from a trip to China, he brought a technique of preparing this drink by placing matcha into a bowl, then adding hot water, and mixing both ingredients together. Tea rituals became common among Buddhist monks.

In the 13th-century CE, a feudal military government ruled Japan. Under their power, tea became a symbol of status among warriors. There would have tea testing contests in which participants had to guess the best-quality tea, and they would win prizes. [DJ]

People of all classes began drinking tea in the 15th century when the first tea room appeared in Kyoto. Around the same time, a more refined version of tea parties developed with Zen-inspired simplicity and greater emphasis on spirituality. Tea was transformed into a religion of aestheticism-teaism, or worship of the beautiful that includes purity, harmony, and mutual tolerance. For the samurai, serving tea with full awareness provided physical and spiritual fulfillment to both the giver and the receiver. Among the affluent, tea-drinking parties became popular in which participants would show off their exquisite tea bowls and display their knowledge about tea. [EH, JG]

By the 16th-century drinking tea had become very popular in Japan. Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) strongly influenced its rituals by advocating an austere, rustic simplicity. His book Southern Record explained his knowledge of tea, and put forth the idea that a meeting should always be treasured because it is a unique occasion, that can never be reproduced. He also mentioned the principles he had learned from his master, Takeno Joo, which should be present in every ceremony. Those principles were harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.  

Rikyu probably had the deepest influence on the Way of Tea. After his death, the three main schools of tea preparation were founded following his teachings and continued to promote his traditions. These schools were Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Mushakojisenke—all of which are still active today. [DJ]

Tradition in a teapot: the cozy Way of Tea

Tea ceremonies are traditionally held in a tea room that is simple and rustic, with a minimal flower arrangement and hanging scroll. The entrance is generally kept low so that as guests enter, they must bend over, symbolizing humility. After having washed their hands and faces, guests sit in the seiza, or kneeling, position on the tatami floor, and they bow once again while taking time to admire the decorations. The formal tea ceremony is full of ritual!  [EH]

The protocol of a tea ceremony is defined down to exact hand movements which vary slightly between the different schools. In most cases, regular tourists are not expected to know the rules in detail, but a knowledge of the basic points below can help make the event a more dignified affair. [JG]

Guests dress modestly and limit fragrances

Sensitive guests avoid gaudy fashion and fragrance that distracts from the tea experience. Most wear modest clothes, remove jewelry that may damage the tea equipment, and avoid strong perfumes. Because green tea has a delicate scent, it doesn’t take much perfume to destroy full enjoyment of the tea experience.

Host’s garden reflects restrained beauty

The traditional tea ceremony venue is surrounded by a garden, although many modern places lack one. Hosts keep the garden tranquil and simple to encourage a calm spirit. They avoid flowers with gaudy colors or deep scents because they’re a distraction. Stones of varying shapes and sizes make up the path that leads to the teahouse. A stone lantern is placed close to a stone basin near the entrance where visitors wash their hands before entering the tearoom. [JG]

Tearooms emphasize humility and muted surroundings

The ceremony is traditionally held in a tatami room. The entrance for guests is sometimes kept low so that entering guests have to bend over, symbolizing humility. Decorative elements in the tearoom include an alcove (tokonoma) where a scroll or seasonal flowers are displayed. [JG, EH]

After a bow, the head guest enters the room and takes the seat closest to the alcove, followed by the other guests. Guests ideally sit in a seiza position on the tatami floor. Once guests have taken their positions, it is customary to bow once more before observing the decorations which were carefully selected for the occasion.

Preparing the tea is a precise ritual

The host typically prepares the tea in front of the guests. The main equipment includes:

• The chasen, a tea whisk used to mix the tea with hot water

• The chakin, a small cloth used to wipe the tea bowl.

• The chaki, or tea caddy, a small lidded container used to hold the matcha powder. The two types are Natsume for thin tea powder and Chaire for thick tea.

• Chashaku, the tea scoop, which usually is carved from a single piece of bamboo.

• Tea bowl

• Sweets container or plate

• Kettle and brazier

The tea master (host) selects each piece of equipment with care and places it carefully so guests can admire its beauty. Also, if the tea selected is sencha, a type of Japanese steamed tea, the master uses a brewing method called senchado. This method requires a kyusu teapot with a round shape to allow the leaves to expand, a kyusu leaf holder, and a yuzamashi or water cooler that holds cool water to “wake up” the leaves. Sencha is steeped at a slightly cooler temperature than other green teas, and senchado is another special ritual that can be part of a Japanese tea ceremony.  [EH]

Guests enjoy tea and bowl

After preparing the tea, a host places the tea bowl on the mat in front of the first guest. Like everything else in a formal tea ceremony, drinking the tea is a choreographed event. The first guest:

• Picks up the tea bowl with the right hand and places it in the left palm.

• Turns the bowl clockwise by 90 degrees so the front is facing away.

• Raises the bowl to the forehead and then lowers it.

• Takes a few sips, bows, and compliments the host on the tea.

• Wipes the bowl’s rim with a cloth and passes it to the next guest, who repeats the procedure.  [EH]

Once everyone has had tea, the guests can admire the bowl, which may be very old—even hundreds of years—and valuable. The tea ceremony is over when the host washes the tea utensils and returns them to where they were before starting. The host kneels and bows at the door as guests leave the room.  [JG]

From personal observation in Osaka and Kyoto, I’ve noted the Japanese tea ceremony is quiet and serene. The room is silent except for the slight rustling of clothing, the bubbling whisper of the water as it begins to boil in the cast iron pot, and the whisk’s gentle scratching against the bowl as the host mixes your tea. All guests enjoy watching the host’s careful attention to detail, from folding napkins to holding the bowl. They add to the experience with their appreciation, reverent passing of the bowl, and delight in tasting the aromatic fresh tea.

You won’t find our products at a formal tea ceremony, but you certainly can use our Tea Tabard™ teapot cozy and Kup Kap™ cup cover at home tea parties or during a quiet moment on your own. Check them out at www.koffeekompanions.com.

References

Emeric Harney, “Japanese Tea Ceremony,” https://bit.ly/2BYspmZ, September 26, 2019. [EH]

“Tea Ceremony.” https://www.japan-guide.com/ Learn: Traditional Arts & Crafts, October 21, 2019.  [JG]

David Juliao, “Japanese Tea Ceremony: History & Steps.” https://bit.ly/3cRR35k, no date.  [DJ]

Ros Walford, “A Rough Guide to the Japanese Tea Ceremony.“ https://bit.ly/2MQFiBm, May 15, 2017. [RW]