Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese green tea ceremony is a Zen Buddhist ritual developed from the Chinese Tea Ceremony. Cha-no-yu, also known as the "Way of Tea," is a traditional Japanese cultural activity that has been passed down for centuries.  The way of performing the ceremony is called 'otemae'. It is a ceremonial ritual that involves the preparation and presentation of matcha, a type of powdered green tea, in a peaceful and harmonious setting. The tea ceremony is not just about drinking tea but is a form of art that encompasses various elements such as hospitality, aesthetics, and spiritual harmony.  The idea of the ceremony is to turn one’s back on the material world and find a spiritual harmony with the wider universe.

Tea Master by Adachi Ginko, 1885

History of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

The origin of the Japanese tea ceremony can be traced back to the 9th century, when tea was introduced to Japan from China. During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), tea was mainly consumed as a medicinal drink, but by the Muromachi period (1336-1573), it had become a popular beverage among the Japanese nobility. During this time, tea drinking became a social activity, and tea houses were built to provide a space for people to gather and enjoy tea.  The Japanese participants would exhibit their beautiful tea bowls and share their knowledge about tea.

The tea ceremony as it is known today was formalised in the 16th century by Sen no Rikyu, who is considered to be the founder of the Japanese tea ceremony. Rikyu combined the original elements of the tea ceremony and created a new, more sophisticated form of tea drinking that was based on the principles of simplicity, tranquillity, and harmony.  His minimalistic approach ensured a more spiritual experience than the tea ceremonies of the Muromachi period.  It is Senno Rikyu's approach that is taught in tea ceremony schools today.  

The Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience

The Tea House Garden (Roji meaning dewy ground)

Before entering the tea house, guests pass through an architecturally designed, natural garden. The style is simplistic and minimalistic with the absence of showy flowers or plants with strong aromas.  The majority of the garden is planted with evergreen plants ensure a consistent appearance, with a scattering of seasonal plants throughout. Rocky gardens, stone sculptures and lanterns completing the spiritual aesthetic.

A stone path leads its way to the tea house, ending at a stone basin where guests must wash their hands and mouth in a symbolic gesture of physical cleansing, Guests must then remove their shoes before entering the tea house and traditionally the samurai warriors would have been required to leave their swords at the door.

The Tea House - chashitsu 

The Japanese Green Tea ceremony takes place traditionally in a small tea house called a chashitsu which resembles a mountain hut.  The small hut has a low ceiling, an alcove with scrolls, sliding doors and silky tatami mats cover the floor.  The doorways as often kept low so guests need to bend over to enter, symbolising humility.  The decorations are simple and include the shoji (windows made of translucent paper), scrolls and simple flower arrangement.  Every movement, each piece of equipment, the choice of the wall hanging, and the simple flower arrangement are decided according to a strict set of rules which tea masters spend years perfecting.

A modern Japanese tea room

1. The host starts by filling a kettle with water and heating it on a charcoal fire.
2. While the water is heating, the host prepares the tea utensils, such as the tea bowl, tea scoop, tea whisk, and tea cloth.
3. The host then adds matcha powder to a bowl with hot water uses the tea whisk to mix the tea and water until it is frothy.  The first round of tea is called kukicha, a 'thick' tea made from the highest quality tea leaves.  This Matcha has been grown in the shade for at least 3 weeks before harvesting which produces a tea with higher caffeine content.  This bowl is often shared amongst all the guests.
4. The host then presents the tea to the guests, who receive it with both hands and take a sip.
5. Later, each guest is served his or her own bowl of ‘thin’ tea called ‘usucha’ which is made with a smaller measure of the matcha tea.
6. The ceremony can last up to four hours and at the end, guests feel very calm and spiritually uplifted.  

The Japanese tea ceremony has not changed much since it was first introduced to Japan.  Today Kyoto and Uji are among the best destinations in the country to enjoy Japan's tea culture.

Equipment Used in the Tea Ceremony

Purpose 

The tea ceremony is not just about drinking tea, but it is also about the way in which the tea is prepared and presented. It is a ritual that is performed with great care and attention to detail, and the tea is presented in a way that is meant to be appreciated aesthetically. The tea ceremony is also about hospitality and showing respect to the guests. The host strives to create a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, and the guests are expected to behave in a quiet and respectful manner.

The tea ceremony is also about spiritual harmony. It is meant to provide a moment of peace and reflection, and it is a way for people to connect with the natural world. The tea ceremony is also a form of meditation, and it is believed that through the tea ceremony, people can achieve a deeper sense of awareness and connection with the world around them.

In conclusion, the Japanese tea ceremony is a rich and complex cultural tradition that has been passed down for centuries. It is a ritual that involves the preparation and presentation of matcha in a peaceful and harmonious setting, and it is meant to provide a moment of peace and reflection for both the host and the guests. The tea ceremony is a form of art that encompasses various elements such as hospitality, aesthetics, and spiritual harmony, and it is an important part of Japanese culture and history. 

Click here to learn about other tea ceremonies from around the world.