The Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is the act of making and serving tea in the most perfect, polite, graceful and charming manner possible. There are three main schools that teach the art of performing the tea ceremony, which are collectively known as the san-Senke. Tea ceremonies are associated with religious rituals in Buddhist monasteries and became popular after the Samurai warriors adopted Zen Buddhism in the 13th century.

The ceremonies can last for up to 4 hours, depending on the type of ceremony and the importance of the guests. As a general rule the more important the guest is, the longer and more formal the ceremony will be. It is believed that each meeting should be treasured as it is unique and will never recur exactly again. The key values of the tea ceremony are harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity. A good host shows qualities of humility and restraint, and celebrates the simplicity and beauty of taking time and care in preparation.

Tea ceremonies are usually held in teahouses but can be performed anywhere with the correct equipment.

To begin guests must wash their hands and rinse their mouth. They will remove their shoes and then enter the teahouse. Hosts will be wearing a kimono and also follow strict cleansing procedures.

The host will build a charcoal fire in the presence of the guests to heat the water, whilst the guests will be admiring scrolls of calligraphy, often containing seasonal Buddhist sayings or poems written by famous calligraphers and Buddhist monks. Guests will be served a meal or some sweets, which would be wrapped in special decorative papers.

When the meal is complete, the host carries out ritual cleansing and preparation of the utensils. Powdered Green tea (Matcha) is placed into the tea bowl. Water is added and the host will whisk the tea. Sometimes an assistant is present to take the tea from the host to the principal guest. The host and guests will exchange bows before taking the first sip. Guests usually drink from the same bowl in turn, according to their position in the ceremony, or occasionally they may have a bowl each.

Conversation is kept to a minimum as guests are expected to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, listening to the water and fire and breathing in the scent of incense and tea. The beauty and simplicity of the teahouses will be noted and contain seasonal decoration.

After use the utensils will be scrupulously cleaned and then inspected by the guests. They will be handled with great care and respect, often using a piece of cloth, as many are extremely delicate antiques.

Charlotte Jewer
Teaologist