What Are The Steps Of The Japanese Tea Ceremony?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Step 1: Invitations. ...
  • Step 2: Preparing the Ceremony Room. ...
  • Step 3: Receiving the Guests. ...
  • Step 4: Cleansing of the Tools. ...
  • Step 5: Preparing Thick Matcha Tea. ...
  • Step 6: Preparing Thin Matcha Tea. ...
  • Step 7: Cleansing of the Tools. ...
  • Step 8: Guests Depart.

What happens in a tea ceremony?

The tea ceremony consists of the host first bringing the tea utensils into the room, offering the guests special sweets, and then preparing and serving them tea made of pulverized tea leaf stirred in hot water . ... The serving of sweets and tea may be preceded by a light meal.

What is served at a Japanese tea ceremony?

The Japanese Tea Ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha , together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea.

How long does a Japanese tea ceremony take?

A full-length formal tea ceremony involves a meal (chakaiseki) and two servings of tea (koicha and usucha) and lasts approximately four hours , during which the host engages his whole being in the creation of an occasion designed to bring aesthetic, intellectual, and physical enjoyment and peace of mind to the guests.

How do you do a Japanese tea ceremony?

The host will start the tea ceremony by gracefully cleaning the tools in from of the guests before using them . Next, they will begin preparing the matcha green tea. Usually three scoops of powdered green tea is added to a tea bowl, followed by hot water with the whole lot whisked into a thin paste.

What type of flooring do people sit on during the tea ceremony?

In traditional homes, people eat and sleep on straw floor mats known as tatami . Numerous Japanese cultural activities, from Zen meditation to the tea ceremony, are done completely or partly while sitting on the floor.

What is the importance of Japanese tea ceremony?

Japanese Tea Ceremony represents harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity which we must embrace in order to achieve the main purpose of the tea ceremony. This event is unique as every process from the tea equipment preparation until the tea is drunk has a distinctive technique.

What do you say at a tea ceremony?

Address the family members you are serving tea to in kinship terms, and hand them the teacup with both hands. When serving, you must say, “ [kinship term], please drink the tea.”

What do you wear to a tea ceremony?

Clothing choice

In the case of tea ceremony, usually a plain or undecorated kimono is worn . ... If you do not own a kimono, western clothing is also acceptable in most situations. For the most part, you can use common sense when choosing clothing. Don’t wear anything that is too flashy or too casual.

What is the purpose of the tea ceremony?

It is a very important ritual that has a lot of meaning within the culture. The tea ceremony represents purity, tranquillity, respect and harmony and a lot of preparation goes into this important event. Discover more about the history of Japanese tea below.

What is done at the end of a Japanese tea ceremony?

Drink the tea in a few sips and place it back onto the tatami. Bow and express gratitude after receiving and finishing your tea. Towards the end of the ceremony, there will be time to inspect and appreciate the tea bowl by lifting it . Once finished, turn the bowl so that the front now faces the host.

How do you perform a tea ceremony?

  1. Step 1: Invitations. ...
  2. Step 2: Preparing the Ceremony Room. ...
  3. Step 3: Receiving the Guests. ...
  4. Step 4: Cleansing of the Tools. ...
  5. Step 5: Preparing Thick Matcha Tea. ...
  6. Step 6: Preparing Thin Matcha Tea. ...
  7. Step 7: Cleansing of the Tools. ...
  8. Step 8: Guests Depart.

Is the Japanese Tea Ceremony religious?

Buddhist monks were the first to introduce tea and its serving rituals in Japan. Buddhism is a religious practice that for the most part deals with the inner self and we cannot tell what exactly goes on within the mind of the person meditating. ... These two qualities give the tea ceremony its simple and quiet appearance.

What are Japanese tea cups called?

Yunomi (湯のみ) is the term for Japanese tea cups; the cups are handle-less, rather small and cylindrical in shape. Incidentally, the name “yunomi” has nothing to do with tea, but is derived from the description of the item.

Is it rude to sit cross legged in Japan?

It’s rude to cross your legs when you sit

In Japan, crossing your legs in formal or business situations is considered rude because it makes you look like you have an attitude or like you’re self-important.

Why do Japanese sit on floor?

This cross-legged position is called “easy” pose, or sukhasana, and it’s believed to increase blood flow to the stomach , helping you to digest food easily and to get the most vitamins and nutrients.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.