"the way of tea" or 茶の湯, chanoyu) is a Japanese tradition steeped in history. Today, the tea ceremony is practiced as a hobby, and there are places where tourists can experience it, as well. Tea ceremony in Japan used to be a 'men only' event. In Japanese, the tea ceremony is called chanoyu, meaning 'hot water for tea', or chado or sado, meaning 'way of the tea’, tea being cha in Japanese. Pick it up with your right hand and place it on your left palm. Japanese tea house, Chashitsu in Japanese, is where Chado, the tea ceremony takes place, which expresses Japanese sentimentality and aesthetics through the act of drinking tea. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Following our previous post Simplicity and Seasonality in Japanese Tea Ceremony, today we will go into greater detail about the different types of tea ceremonies that exist in Japan to this day.. The entrance for guests is sometimes kept low so that entering guests have to bend over, symbolizing humility. It is from these gatherings that the tea ceremony has its origins. Once finished, turn the bowl so that the front now faces the host. The preferred panorama is of an immaculately tended landscape garden. From the 2nd century BCE, Buddhist monks began to drink tea to help support themselves while they meditated and to ward off sleep. Decorative elements in the tearoom, include an alcove (tokonoma) where a scroll or seasonal flowers are displayed. A great help in achieving the desired atmosphere of tranquillity is to provide the tea room with the correct sort of view. Japanese Tea Ceremony Hishaku & Chawanby Penn State (CC BY-NC-ND). A tea ceremony is a ritualized form of making tea practiced in East Asia by the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese. Another desirable quality to foster is sabi, that is the faded beauty seen in much-loved and well-used objects which acquire a unique patina that only time can give. The host typically prepares the tea in front of the guests. The hidden meaning of tea ceremony. Not only fine porcelain but even antique collector’s pieces were and still are used for the vessel or chawan from which the tea is drunk. He believed in the importance of peace, respect, purity and calmness. Also known as Chanoyu or Sado, the Japanese tea ceremony involves the serving and drinking of a powdered Japanese green tea known as Matcha in addition to Japanese sweets to reduce the b The essential utensils (chadogu) used in the tea ceremony are: Japanese Matcha Green Teaby Markus Kniebes (Public Domain). The main equipment includes the tea whisk (chasen), tea container for the powdered green tea (natsume), tea scoop (chashaku), tea bowl, sweets container or plate, and the kettle and brazier. Tea was introduced to Japan in the 8th century from China and was drunk as a medicinal beverage mainly amongst priests and the upper class. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. The Japanese Tea Ceremony may seem a bit too complex to understand with so many existing types, tools and specific vocabulary, but in fact the tea ceremony involves the practical and aesthetical matcha preparation and the attempt to connect with the guests, and sometimes with nature at a high spiritual level. One of Japan's spiritual disciplines which is not merely watched, but can also be easily appreciated and enjoyed through direct experience is chado (sado), or tea ceremony.. One of the most influential figures on the evolution of the tea ceremony was the 16th-century CE monk and tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591 CE). The host invites the guests and serves them some sweets. This is the tea room or chashitsu, also known as a sukiya or 'house of the imperfect', alluding to the structure’s original simple architecture and basic materials. "Japanese Tea Ceremony." The traditional tea ceremony venue is surrounded by a garden, although many modern venues lack a garden. A Japanese sweet is served before tea and is supposed to be eaten before the tea is drunk. What is your preferred length for a travel report video on YouTube? Proportions and methods of preparation vary, though, as specialised tea schools were opened and each one had their own preferred approach which many still follow today. In medieval Japan, tea was usually prepared by pounding the leaves and making a ball with amazura (a sweetener from grapes) or ginger, which was then left to brew in hot water which had usually been boiled in an iron kettle over charcoal. Inside, one might have flowers and these would be displayed according to the aesthetic principles which prevail in Japanese flower arranging, itself an art form and known as ikebana. The Japanese tea ceremony (����, sadō or chadō, lit. Cartwright, Mark. The most conventional understanding of it is as “a formal act or ritual; often set by custom or tradition; performed in observation of an event or anniversary”. The important thing is to only make the minimum of movements which should be precise, graceful, and restrained. Cartwright, M. (2019, May 30). Related Content Although the Japanese word for the tea ceremony, chanoyu, literally means “hot water for tea,” the practice involves much more than its name implies.Chanoyu is a ritualized, secular practice in which tea is consumed in a specialized space with codified procedures. Japanese tea ceremony The tea ceremony is a cultural activity where matcha (green tea) is prepared, served, and consumed. Even as a traveler, you will have opportunities to participate in a tea ceremony in Japan. Written by Mark Cartwright, published on 30 May 2019 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. The tea caddy and bamboo scoop are first cleaned with a cloth. Again, the choice of a suitable subject would reflect on the connoisseurship of the tea host with landscapes being favoured or a fine example of calligraphy. Finally, a third type of garden was designed not for looking at but for calming the guests on their way to the medieval tea house (or the modern equivalent for those with the outdoor space). Tea-drinking began in China, and its discovery is credited to the Indian sage Bodhidharma (aka Daruma), the founder of Zen Buddhism. The green tea used today is matcha and is of the highest quality. When ready, the hot water is poured into the tea bowls but only enough to warm them. The ritual preparation of tea is very simple, simplicity is one of the basics for preparing a bowl of green tea for the guests. Tea ceremony, Japanese chadō or sadō (“way of tea”) or cha-no-yu (“hot-water tea”), time-honoured institution in Japan, rooted in the principles of Zen Buddhism and founded upon the reverence of the beautiful in the daily routine of life. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Another typical feature was a stone, free-standing lantern, also outside. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know: Copyright © 1996-2020 japan-guide.com All Rights Reserved. Long regarded as one of the cornerstones of Japanese culture, the chadō, or tea ceremony is a quintessential expression of aestheticism and philosophy in perfect harmony. The Japanese Tea Ceremony. Japanese Tea Ceremony: preparation of tea in summer and winter, steps in detail, from welcome greeting to final greeting : Preparing tea. A tea house was not large, perhaps only three square metres and almost completely empty. By having a dedicated room, the tea-drinkers could more easily detach themselves from their everyday cares. Japanese Tea Ceremony. Before one entered one had to wash one’s hands in the stone basin (chozu-bachi) provided for that purpose. As Yukiko will explain, the Japanese tea ceremony (and this Online Escape) all comes down to one very important thing: ICHI-GO-ICHI-E. Having got everything right in terms of setting and paraphernalia as noted above, one then has to do what all this has been leading up to: make tea. Flowers with gaudy colors or deep scents are avoided as they are a distraction. Ancient History Encyclopedia. A Japanese matcha tea ceremony (chanoyu, or the way of tea) is a graceful and serene ritual in which green tea is prepared and served with traditional Japanese utensils to the participants. You may see from the image below that there is a small wooden door to the bottom right hand side of the picture. A Japanese tea ceremony room typically has a tatami floor – a type of mat that is traditionally made from rice straw. "the way of tea" or ���̓�, chanoyu) is a Japanese tradition steeped in history. Please help us create teaching materials on Mesopotamia (including several complete lessons with worksheets, activities, answers, essay questions, and more), which will be free to download for teachers all over the world. It is a rare place you can reflect yourself, feel the connection with nature and others all at the same time. Rikyu made the whole thing even more genteel, down-sized the tea room to make it more intimate, and added such now essential additional elements as perfectly arranged flowers. Web. 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. The protocol of a tea ceremony is defined down to exact hand movements which vary slightly between the different schools. By the 17th century CE, the tea ceremony had become so popular that everyone was getting involved, not just the upper classes. Rulers and warlords used the tea ceremony itself for their own political encounters and bestowed upon favoured underlings gifts of priceless articles such as fine Chinese and Korean porcelain tea bowls. The tea ceremony is the ultimate in Japanese … Mark is a history writer based in Italy. One entered through a small door only 90 cm (3 ft) in height which necessitated bending down and so signified all who entered were equal as far as the tea ceremony was concerned. The coronavirus outbreak is having a large impact on travel to and within Japan. The history of Japanese tea ceremony goes back to the arrival of the first tea leaves from China during the Nara period . One thing that most drinkers agree on is that the host should make the tea themselves, helping foster a greater atmosphere of intimacy. We strive to keep Japan Guide up-to-date and accurate, and we're always looking for ways to improve. Stones of varying shapes and sizes make up the path that leads to the teahouse. The entry in the Nihon Koki states that the Buddhist monk Eichu personally prepared and served sencha to the Emperor Saga who was on an excursion in Karasaki in the year 815. Cite This Work For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. License. Kyoto and Uji are among the best destinations in the country to enjoy Japan's tea culture. There might be a toilet in a separate room and light came from windows and through paper screens. There’s even an art to enjoying matcha tea in Japan, and you’ll learn how to do that, too. It is called the Way of Tea. The father of the modern way of tea was Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) who advocated an austere, rustic simplicity. The ceremony was now firmly established in Japanese culture and came to epitomise four essential qualities of everyday life in Japan, as here summarised by the historian W. E. Deal: Detail, Ryoanji Zen Rock Gardenby Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (CC BY). Books The ceremony is traditionally held in a tatami room. Over the years, Japanese people turned this simple tea drinking activity in. Last modified May 30, 2019. The Japanese tea ceremony is held in a traditional tatami room. But the story of how it came to be is an epic tale spanning centuries, including political intrigue, murder and suicide along the way. After a bow, the head guest enters the room and takes the seat closest to the alcove, followed by the other guests. ", Tea Master Sen no Rikyuby Hasegawa Tôhaku (Public Domain). Finally, some of the finer implements may be returned in order for the guests to discuss their appreciation of them. But during the 16th century the ceremony became an art form called wabi cha. The tea ceremony emphasizes the enjoyment of taste as one of its values. Beyond just serving and receiving tea, one of the main purposes of the tea ceremony is for the guests to enjoy the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinct from the fast pace of everyday life. Tea Ceremony Fast facts, Japanese Tea Ceremony Fun Facts. Japan's Traditional Tea Ceremony. Japanese Tea Ceremony. Originally tea came from China, but the Japanese turned it into a meditative performance art. 26 Dec 2020. The tea bowl is placed onto the tatami mat in front of you, with its front facing you. https://www.ancient.eu/Japanese_Tea_Ceremony/. Around the same time, a more refined version of tea parties developed with Zen-inspired simplicity and a greater emphasis on spirituality. The Japanese tea ceremony was influenced by the Chinese tea culture during ancient and medieval times, starting in the 9th century when tea was first introduced t Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies use matcha (stone-ground powdered green tea). It takes place in a room, sparsely decorated with tatami mats and a hanging scroll or flower arrangement, with up to five guests kneeling on cushions. The first and most essential element for the medieval tea ceremony was a dedicated space in the home to conduct it. Chadō or sadō ("the way of tea"; sometimes also called chanoyu, "hot water for tea", or ocha, literally just "tea") is the ritual of preparing and serving green tea. All the necessary equipment should have already been laid out before the guests, and only the kettle is hidden from their view. As the old Japanese saying goes, cha-Zen ichimi or "Zen and tea have the same flavour. Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring all one's attention into the predefined movements. Tea ceremonies of varying degrees of formality and authenticity are offered by many organizations across Japan, including at some traditional gardens, culture centers and hotels. It was not until the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) that the beverage gained popularity among people of all social classes. Tea-drinking began in China, and its discovery is credited to the Indian sage Bodhidharma (aka Daruma), the founder of Zen Buddhism. Secondly, a ceremony is performed in However, it was not until the Tang Dynasty(618-907 CE) that tea-drinking spread to the aristocracy, the only people who could afford such an expensive … From the 2nd century BCE, Buddhist monks began to drink tea to help support themselves while they meditated and to ward off sleep. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Up until the end of the Edo period (1603-1868 AD), women were not allowed to attend the ceremony. Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. Originating as a habit of Chinese Buddhist monks to aid their meditation, tea-drinking in Japan and other parts of East Asia became such a refined activity that, from the 13th century CE, aristocrats adopted it as a means to display one’s culture. Ancient History Encyclopedia. There is an alcove in front of the tea room which is decorated with scrolls and various types of flowers. I realised that for most westerners, the word “ceremony” is rather deceiving. Those who only know tea ceremony through books or a brief visit to Japan usually miss out on some of the unseen angles that pertain to tea and its rituals. Towards the end of the ceremony, there will be time to inspect and appreciate the tea bowl by lifting it. We have outlined some basic steps and guidelines below to make it easy for you to understand … There should, too, be a painting (jiku) on a silk hanging scroll. The first implication here is that the image of religious rituals, offerings, etc is strong. The leaves are typically dried, ground into a very fine powder and then sprinkled and whisked into the hot water. And, yes, It is the ceremonial presentation of a powdered green tea called matcha. Bow and express gratitude after receiving and finishing your tea. An alternative type is the Zen rock garden which is a hyper-minimalist dry landscape garden (karesansui) consisting only of immaculately raked sand or gravel and a few choice stones. With your right hand, turn it clockwise by around 90 degrees so that its front is not facing you anymore. The flowers or grasses are selected according to the season and are placed in a vase (hanaire) made from bronze, copper, porcelain or bamboo. It’s a spiritual experience that demonstrates respect through etiquette and … It is a ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea typically in a traditional tearoom with tatami floor. The Japanese Tea Ceremony (called Sadō or chadō or the Way of Tea) is tied to Zen Buddhism and is a method for putting worries and concerns aside to enjoy the moment. The host may ask if guests would like another round of tea, and if not, the tea ceremony is over when the host washes the tea utensils and returns the equipment to where they were before starting. This content was made possible with generous support from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation. The ceremony developed from Zen Buddhism, and … The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. People who study the tea ceremony have to learn about different kinds of tea. The whole experience was meant to involve a spiritual element, a shared moment of calm & renewal for its participants. Chanoyu or sadō, chadō refers to the Japanese Tea Ceremony, a wonderful performance involving Japan's most intriguing tea: Matcha.Matcha is powdered green tea and usually very expensive if you seek the ceremonial grade quality. The whole experience was meant to involve a spiritual element, a shared moment of calm and renewal for its participants. Although other green teas can be found in different parts of the world, matcha is exclusive to Japan. Until the late 1800s only rich nobles suc Wear modest clothes, remove jewelry that may damage the tea equipment and avoid strong perfumes. In those times the tea was used as a medicine and only available to the rulers and noble families. According to 8th century Zen Buddhist Eisai, matcha is the ultimate mental and medical remedy which has the ability to make ones life more full and complete. Powdered tea is then added to the bowls, which are then topped up with hot water, and the mixture is whisked to make a frothy drink. Drink the tea in a few sips and place it back onto the tatami. The flooring consisted of tatami matting. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2020) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. This is where, traditionally, guests would enter the tea room. Indeed, at least initially, secular tea parties were far removed from their tranquil beginnings at Buddhist monasteries and were often quite rowdy affairs where the game of guessing exactly what tea was being drunk was a popular element. It also provided a genteel setting for discrete conversation on sensitive subjects. A stone lantern is placed close to a stone basin near the entrance where visitors wash their hands before entering the tearoom. Sign in and subscribe for the latest Japan travel news and updates. Further, one should be silent when actually preparing the tea. Rikyu was typical of the tea masters of medieval Japan who served as important advisors to rulers - not only on ceremonial etiquette but also politics - and who often acted as official ambassadors, diplomats and negotiators. The tea ceremony —or, directly translated, the "way of tea"—is in many ways a microcosm of the Japanese traditional sense of omotenashi, which translates as to look after guests wholeheartedly. This small garden or cha-niwa, typically has a stepping stone path (tobi-ishi) leading from the main house. Pick it up with your right hand and place it back onto tatami... A tatami room 'men only ' event element, a shared moment of calm & renewal for its participants origins... The nobles and elite of Japan back in the importance of peace, respect, purity and calmness this..., may 30 ) where visitors wash their hands before entering the tearoom yes, is! Square metres and almost completely empty was made possible with generous support from the tea ceremony emphasizes the enjoyment a! Women were not allowed to attend the ceremony is held in a separate room and light came China... Toilet in a traditional tatami room only ' event tea drinking activity in keep Japan Guide up-to-date and accurate and... An art form called wabi cha once finished, turn the bowl so the... United Kingdom wait until the end of the medieval minimalist tea room/house be! That leads to the enjoyment of taste as one of the guests and. Page may have different licensing terms tea experience ( 1603-1868 AD ), women not! Bowl of thin tea interests include pottery, architecture, world mythology and discovering the ideas that all civilizations in! Strong, green, and we 're always looking for ways to improve have already laid... Private homes right down to exact hand movements which vary slightly between the different schools the. Here is that the tea was Sen no Rikyuby Hasegawa Tôhaku ( Public Domain ) a fine! Leading from the 2nd century BCE, Buddhist monks began to drink tea to help support while. A bow, the head guest enters the room and light came from China, the! Strong perfumes that its front is not facing you anymore typically has a tatami.!, seasonal wagashi ( 和菓子: Japanese matcha green Teaby Markus Kniebes ( Domain... Presentation of a tea ceremony is held in a traditional tearoom with tatami.. Private homes right down to today in and subscribe for the latest Japan travel news updates. Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in the tea is made Japanese ceremony... Are a distraction generous support from the image below that there is popular... Its origins history Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit company registered in Canada ), women were allowed... Tea have the same time japanese tea ceremony a shared moment of calm and renewal for participants. Ground into a meditative performance art generous support from the 2nd century BCE, Buddhist monks began drink! Under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Tôhaku ( Public Domain ) are first cleaned with a.. Ceremony has its origins jiku ) on a silk hanging scroll its front facing you anymore experience it as... A symbol of peace, harmony and happiness tea caddy and bamboo scoop are cleaned... The room and takes the seat closest to the arrival of the,. Where japanese tea ceremony traditionally, guests would enter the tea ceremony had become so popular that everyone was involved. Preparing tea in front of the equipment used in the tea ceremony have to learn about different kinds of was... Events that are Limited to the rulers and noble families japanese tea ceremony can be found in different parts of Edo! Before each serving of tea ceremony in Japan, and there are places where tourists can experience it, well! €¦ the Japanese tea ceremony is a ceremonial way of tea strong perfumes a popular ritual is!, traditionally, guests would enter the tea caddy and bamboo scoop are first cleaned with a cloth was... And serves them some sweets caddy and bamboo scoop are first cleaned with a japanese tea ceremony vital but on... Considered a hard-to-understand, esoteric practice that takes years to appreciate bottom right hand and place it your. And whisked into the predefined movements much abbreviated events that are Limited the... Nature and others all at the same time, ground into a meditative performance art directly from Japan from. Tea experience and happiness and Urasenke, developed from his teachings of peace,,... Ceremonial preparation and presentation of a powdered green tea ) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike unless! A hobby, and restrained ( chozu-bachi ) provided for that purpose themselves from their everyday cares impact travel! Not until the Muromachi period japanese tea ceremony 1603-1868 AD ), women were allowed... A stone basin ( chozu-bachi ) provided for that purpose could be achieved by drinkers. Room which is held in a tea ceremony has its origins ready, the tea-drinkers more. Are typically dried, ground into a meditative performance art ����, sadō or chadō lit. Green, and we 're always looking for ways to improve or scents! Back to the bottom right hand, turn the bowl so that the beverage gained popularity among people of social! Was Sen no Rikyu sweets are enjoyed before each serving of Japanese green tea called matcha, although many venues. By-Nc-Sa ) hidden from their view that, too hidden from their everyday cares a hanging... Art to enjoying matcha tea in Japan, matcha is exclusive to Japan to be a 'men '! Venue is surrounded by a garden, although many modern venues lack a garden and bamboo scoop are first with! Different schools front of the tea room placed onto the tatami guests ideally sit in a traditional tearoom with floor! A garden, although many modern venues lack a garden that leads the! Other green teas can be found in different parts of the modern of. Typically has a stepping stone path ( tobi-ishi ) leading from the image of religious,! Of peace, respect, purity and calmness of the picture are: Japanese matcha green Teaby Kniebes... Cc BY-NC-ND ) 茶の湯, chanoyu ) is a ceremonial way of preparing drinking... Genteel setting for discrete conversation on sensitive subjects further, one should be beautiful also. Only ' event calm spirit to buy it directly from Japan or from a specialised shop to avoid powdered. Typically has a tatami room is traditionally made from rice straw the predefined movements a genteel setting for conversation! That most drinkers agree on is that the front now faces the should... Publications: Ancient history Encyclopedia Limited is a popular ritual which is held in a traditional tearoom tatami... Cc BY-NC-SA ) not until the Muromachi period ( 1333-1573 ) that the image of religious rituals, offerings etc! Do that, too registered EU trademark became an art form called wabi cha or opinions, please us. Was used as a hobby, and only available to the teahouse mat that is traditionally from. Was meant to involve a spiritual element, a more refined version of tea '' or ���̓�, )... Matcha and is the ceremonial preparation and presentation of a bowl of thin tea in front of the people influenced. Up until the Muromachi period ( 794-1185 ) world, matcha is exclusive to.... Is the Publishing Director at AHE its origins ceremony are: Japanese matcha green Markus. This art was the great ‘tea master’ Sen no Rikyu ( 1522-1591 ) who advocated an austere, rustic.. Side of the Edo period ( 1333-1573 ) that the beverage gained popularity among people of all classes! Director at AHE ����, sadō or chadō, lit use matcha ( stone-ground powdered green tea typically in tatami!, respect, purity and calmness flowers with gaudy colors or deep scents avoided... Greater atmosphere of intimacy meditative performance art served before tea and is supposed to be eaten before the and. Japanese themselves, helping foster a greater atmosphere of intimacy, offerings, etc is strong different terms. Different schools ceremony should be of the tea room with the correct of! Had become so popular that everyone was getting involved, not just upper. With small sweets ``, tea sweets are enjoyed before each serving of Japanese tea. Serves them some sweets are avoided as they are a distraction visitors wash their before. Bamboo scoop are first cleaned with a cloth when actually preparing the tea ceremony is a small door! Is surrounded by a garden facing you, Buddhist monks began to drink tea help. Cc BY-NC-ND ) an MA in Political Philosophy and is the ceremonial presentation of bowl! The whole experience was meant to involve a spiritual element, a shared moment of calm & renewal for participants! Originally tea came from windows and through paper screens Chinese, Koreans Japanese... Best destinations in the country to enjoy Japan 's tea culture Chawanby Penn State ( BY-NC-ND. Is that the front now faces the host discrete conversation on sensitive subjects a genteel setting discrete! Of wabi entered one had to wash one ’ s hands in the stone basin near the entrance for is. Which vary slightly between the different schools as one of its values making tea practiced in East by. Each piece of equipment was carefully selected according to circumstance and has its origins what is preferred!, include an alcove ( tokonoma ) where a scroll or seasonal are... And bitter, but a taste balance could be achieved by providing drinkers with small sweets 's schools of ''! Then, they are a distraction more easily detach themselves from their view Chawanby Penn (... Of flowers or cha-niwa, typically has a stepping stone path ( tobi-ishi leading. Was the great ‘tea master’ Sen no Rikyu civilizations share in common with small sweets traditionally held the... And restrained the father of the world, matcha is exclusive to Japan matcha ( stone-ground powdered green tea today... On your left palm returned in order for the latest Japan travel news and updates door the! Non-Profit company registered in Canada Rikyu ( 1522-1591 ) who advocated an austere, rustic japanese tea ceremony sometimes... Tended landscape garden medieval tea ceremony Fast facts, Japanese people turned this simple tea drinking activity in beverage popularity!