The basic knowledge of the tea ceremony the correct seven steps to illustrate the gestures and etiquette of the tea ceremony

In our previous blog, we discussed the tea culture around the world and the traditions of some countries. You may have noticed that we did not discuss Japanese tea culture in that blog, because Japanese tea culture is so deep-rooted and extensive that we think it is fair to dedicate the whole blog to the tea culture of this country.

History

The first record of the Japanese tea ceremony dates back to the 8th century. In ancient times, tea was mainly regarded as a medicine, which could only be enjoyed by monks and the upper echelons of society. It was not until the Muromachi period (1336-1573) that tea entered all walks of life.

For Japan's affluent society, tea parties have become a way to show exquisite tea set collection and tea knowledge. At about the same time, Zen philosophy inspired simple tea parties that paid more attention to the spiritual level. This is the origin of the tea ceremony.

The tea ceremony in Japan

The Japanese tea ceremony is divided into two categories: formal tea ceremony and informal tea ceremony. The formal ceremony is called search, and the informal one is called search. The Chakai ceremony usually lasts less than an hour. However, learning how to perform a ceremony can take years of practice! Special guests such as senior tea artists will also be invited to the tea ceremony. These formal ceremonies last three to four hours. The tea ceremony, which lasts such a long time and takes time to prepare, is usually arranged for important reasons such as celebrating a new era.

These tea ceremonies are conducted in such a calm and calm state that all attention is focused on the preparation of the tea.

The purpose of these ceremonies is to show the hospitality of the host to the guests, rather than service and acceptance in the general sense. It's also a great way to escape the constant worries of a fast-paced life and gain peace of mind.

The process of Japanese tea ceremony

At first it was Huaishi Japanese cuisine, which is a traditional multi-course dish, then a thick cup of tea, and finally a thin cup of tea.

Clothing

In such a ceremony, do not wear flashy or luxurious clothes, simple clothes will not divert attention from the tea ceremony is the first choice. Do not wear any jewelry, because it will scratch the tea set, do not wear a strong smell, it will distort the smell of tea.

Environment

The Japanese tea ceremony is traditionally held in a room called the tatami room. The entrance is usually very low, so guests must bow before they can enter, which shows respect and modesty. Many tatami rooms are located in environments such as gardens, which further enhances serenity, as ceremonies are usually held to gain peace of mind. Like clothing, the garden itself does not have an element of luxury or a strong smell, because it may be distracting again. In front of the teahouse is a stone path, each of which is of different shape and size. Another thing you will notice is a stone basin near the entrance, which visitors can use to wash their hands when they enter the room.

Prepare for

Since the tea preparation process is the main attraction of the tea ceremony, the tea sets used are bamboo mixer (Chasen), green tea powder container (Natsume Shushi), teaspoon (Chashaku), tea bowl, plate candy, kettle, and brazier. Each device has its own location because they are carefully selected according to the type of function they carry.

Ceremony

The traditional Japanese dessert and ashi are served first. Eat it before drinking tea. The host will put the tea on the tatami mat, facing the guest. Then the guests raised the cup with their right hand, placed it on the palm of their left hand and rotated 90 degrees clockwise so that the cup would not face them. After a few sips of tea, it was put back on the tatami mat. After putting the tea on the mat, the guests thanked and bowed respectfully.

Then, when the guest finishes the tea, place the empty teacup facing the host. After a round of tea, the host sometimes asks them if they are interested in drinking another round, if the ceremony is not over. The owner will wash the used tea set and put it back in the same place.

The Japanese tea ceremony is worth experiencing and should be part of your bucket list! These ceremonies show some unique Japanese culture and traditions and are just a feast for the eyes. In addition, we live in such a fast-paced life, everything is in a hurry, it is almost impossible to have a calm state of mind. This is another reason why holding such ceremonies from time to time is good for physical and mental health.