In Japan, tea is life. From local restaurants to complex Japanese tea ceremonies, this drink can be found on all tables and is an important part of Japanese culture.
It is more than just a hot drink. It is an important ritual that has a lot of meaning within the culture.
The Japanese Ceremony Tea additionally called Chanoyu, Sado or Ocha, is a cultural rite that date backs to the 14 century. One of the maximum vital thoughts at the back of the Japanese Tea Ceremony is the idea of “Wabi” and “ Sabi”. Wabi represents the spiritual experiences of human lives and symbolizes quiet and sober refinement. While Sabi represents the cloth aspect of existence and symbolizes decayed.
This ceremony can be done both indoors and outdoors. It may vary depending on the season, school, time of the day or some other factors.
Experiencing a Japanese Tea Ceremony offers you a glimpse right into a captivating part of the Japanese culture that has plenty of records and cultural significance.
Different Types Of Japanese Tea
There are more than 100 total types of Japanese green tea names used to date. These names also indicate which part of the tea plant is used, the kind of processing method, farming location, etc.
Two of the most famous amongst them is Matcha.
Matcha is a powder made of green tea leaves that are cultivated in the shades and sheltered from direct sunlight. Matcha is also categorized into two grades: ceremonial grade Matcha and culinary grade matcha.
Tea Ceremony Supplies
If you have a teacup and a whisk, you can make simple matcha, but for tea ceremonies, more tools are needed to prepare Ceremonial Grade Matcha.
In order, to organize a Japanese Ceremony Tea, the host needs basic tools like
*Matcha Green Tea-
*Matha Whisk or Chacen
*Japanese Tea Pot or the Kama
*Japanese Tea Bowl or Chawan
*Silk Cloth is also known as Fukusa
Other Optional Supplies are
*Sweet Foods
*Flower Vase
*Mini Napkins or “Kaishi”
Japanese Ceremony Tea Steps You Need To Follow
So what exactly makes tea drinking in Japan different? What is the overall process and what are the signs that are followed in the steps?
Let’s proceed to the steps that need to be followed in a Japanese Ceremony Tea.
- Formal Invitations
The first step that needs to be followed during the Japanese Ceremony Tea is sending formal invitations to the guests that the host wants to invite to the tea drinking.
- Room Preparations
Prior to the actual ceremony, the host has to clean the house, especially the area where the ceremony will take place. This is crucial to the ceremony as they would want it to be pure and clean.
- Receiving The Guests
Guests that are invited to the ceremony has to wait until the host let them into the tea room. They have to remove their shoes before entering the room. Then proceed to wash their hands symbolizing as purifying themselves. Once seated according to the rank, the host will formally acknowledge each guest.
- Cleaning The Tools
Once after settling, the host will bring the Japanese Ceremony Tea and will proceed to ritually clean the tools one by one.
- Preparing The Tea
Once the tools are being prepared, the host will prepare the tea in front of the guests. He needs to be in a calm, peaceful state while preparing the tea. As it is believed to be the best key to make the best tea.
This continues until everyone takes a sip of tea, then it would return to the host for cleaning the tools.
This way the tea ceremony comes to an end.
- Departure Of The Guests
Finally, the Japanese Ceremony Tea ends and the guest will leave the tea house. This ceremony can last up to 4 hours depending on the season and the type of meal served.
Japanese Tea Ceremony Etiquette
A Japanese Ceremony Tea is not only about having a cup of Ceremonial Grade Matcha. From the positioning of guests to the cleaning of the tools to scooping the tea, everything is significant. The deeper purpose of the ceremony is appreciation.
And that appreciation starts at the basic level by observing the rules of etiquette.
Basic Etiquette is like
*Be on time
*Remove shoes outside the tea room.
*Wear appropriate clothes.
*Let the host seat you.
*Enter on your knees
*Don’t be too loud.
*Be careful with the tools and vessels
*Eat when it is given to you.
*Show appreciation to the host.
Following these etiquettes will help you understand the Japanese culture and the rules of the ceremony.
Final Thoughts
We hope you had acquired some interesting and important information front the above details. By reading this, you will be able to appreciate the Japanese Ceremony Tea on a whole new level.!
Best of all, the tea is simple to prepare yet comes on the list of healthy diets and gives your day a burst of extra flavour.
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