The Japanese tea ceremony, known in Japan as sadō/chadō (茶道, “The Way of Tea”) or chanoyu (茶の湯) is a cornerstone of Japanese culture. The term refers to the ritual of preparing and serving matcha tea for guests. This ritual usually takes place in a tea room with a tatami floor and is intended to show hospitality in a relaxed environment away from the demands of everyday life. Experiencing one in Japan is a must for any visitor!
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The history behind tea ceremonies in Japan
Though tea was introduced to Japan in the 8th century, it was slow to gain popularity. The preparation process used in the Way of Tea dates back to the 12th century. Grinding tea into a powder and mixing it with a bamboo whisk was introduced by China and originally practiced by Buddhist monks. Tea was important to their way of life for health reasons and to stay awake during long meditation sessions. From there, tea became popular with the Samurai and nobility.
In the 13th century, common people started drinking tea. During this time, tea parties became popular. Some focused on socializing and showing off fancy tea bowls, while others focused on Zen-inspired spirituality. The Way of Tea as we know it today came from the latter. Sen no Rikyu is known as the father of the tea ceremony. Though there are several schools of the ritual today, most of them developed from his teachings.
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What elements are present in a tea ceremony?
Tea ceremonies can vary in length and formality. A full, formal ceremony is several hours long and includes a meal. Modern, less formal tea ceremonies are much shorter. Regardless, there are a few elements that must be present to follow the Way of Tea. They are:
- Modest clothing
- Garden environment
- Tea rooms
- Decorations
- Tea preparation
- Savoring the experience
Modest clothing
The traditional attire for a tea ceremony is a kimono, but Westerners who don’t own one can wear their own clothing as long as it’s simple and modest. It might sound picky, but the aim is to ensure that clothing doesn’t distract from the experience. Avoid showy clothing, remove any jewelry that could draw attention or damage the equipment, and avoid strong fragrances. If you have long hair, keep it tied up and out of the way.
Garden environment
Whether the ceremony takes place indoors or outdoors, it is usually surrounded by a garden designed with simplicity and tranquility in mind. You’ll often see a stone path that leads to the tea house and a stone fountain for hand washing. Tea gardens traditionally avoid bright colors and strong scents so visitors can focus on the ritual.
Tea rooms
Indoor tea ceremonies are traditionally held in a chashitsu (茶室, tea room) designed with rustic minimalism in mind and includes the well-recognized tatami floor. Every hut has a built-in fireplace for heating water. An alcove with decorations serves as the focal point of the room. The entrance for guests is often low so guests have to duck and humble themselves before the ceremony. Like the ceremony itself, the ambiance is rustic, humble, and serene.
Decorations
The alcove of the tea room traditionally displays a decorative scroll and seasonal flowers. Decorations are minimal, yet symbolic for the occasion. The scroll is usually chosen with seasonal themes or other themes relevant for the occasion in mind. Some have just one large character, others have more characters, others are paintings.
There is a style of flower arranging specific to the Way of Tea called chabana (茶花). The name literally translates to “tea flowers. The idea is for the flowers to give guests the same impression as they would if they were growing outdoors. That means they are always in season, growing nearby, and not paired with anything artificial. It’s customary for guests to bow towards the alcove and acknowledge the decorations before the tea is served.
Tea preparation
The meat of the tea ceremony is in the preparation of the tea. The tea is prepared in front of the guests with traditional utensils that are chosen carefully for the specifics of the ceremony and meticulously placed in the tea room.
- Chakin (茶巾): A small white cloth used to wipe the tea bowls.
- Chasen (茶筅, tea whisk): A bamboo whisk used to mix tea powder and hot water together.
- Chashaku (茶杓, tea scoop): A scoop used to transfer tea from caddy to bowl. They are usually made of bamboo, but they can also be made of ivory or wood.
- Chawan (茶碗, tea bowl): The vessel for drinking the tea. They vary in size and style, but hand-thrown bowls are considered the best, and imperfections are embraced as a sign of uniqueness.
- Natsume/Chaire (棗・茶入, tea caddy): A lidded container that holds the tea powder.
- Chagama (茶釜, tea kettle): A metal pot, usually made out of cast iron or copper, that is used to heat water for tea.
There are two styles of preparation in the tea ceremony: thick tea (濃茶, koicha) and thin tea (薄茶, usucha). The former is made of higher-quality matcha powder. The two kinds of tea are prepared in different ways, too. Koicha takes three times as much powder as usucha. Both are mixed using the whisk, but for koicha it’s in more of a kneading motion. Traditionally, thick tea is served first from a shared pot and thin tea is served last in individual bowls. Some shorter, casual ceremonies only serve the thin tea and sweets.
Savoring the experience
Once the tea is prepared, it’s time to enjoy it. The specific procedure of the ceremony varies depending on the school, but this is how they generally go:
- The host serves a sweet before the tea.
- They place the bowl on the mat in front of each guest.
- The guests pick up the cup with their right hand, turn it 90 degrees, drink the tea in a few sips, and place it back on the mat.
- Guests bow to the host and say arigato.
- Repeat for each round.
Savoring the taste of the tea alongside the tranquility of the ritual are essential for making the most of the ceremony.
>> Show respect with this handy primer on Japanese honorifics.
Different types of tea ceremonies
If you plan to attend more than one tea ceremony, you may notice subtle differences in how they’re carried out. Every host follows a different school of preparation, and other factors can also influence the experience: the ceremony occasion, equipment used, setting, etc.
The four most common styles are Chabako temae (茶箱手前), Hakobi temae (運び手前), Obon temae (お盆手前), and Ryūrei (立礼).
Chabako temae (茶箱手前)
The Chabako temae style gets its name from the box used to store the equipment, called a chabako (茶箱, lit. ’tea box’). The style developed out of convenience and is mainly used outdoors. Most of the equipment in a chabako is smaller and more portable. The ceremony takes about 40 minutes.
Hakobi temae (運び手前)
One of the first steps in a hakobi temae ceremony is the host bringing in all of the equipment, except maybe the hot water kettle, while the guests are in the room. In most other styles, these items are placed in the room before the guests enter.
Obon temae (お盆手前)
Obon temae, also known as bon temae (盆手前) or bonryaku temae (盆略手前) is a simplified ceremony where only usucha tea is prepared and served. It is the easiest style of tea ceremony to perform and usually the first one taught in Way of Tea classes. It doesn’t take much time and can be done anywhere.
Ryūrei (立礼)
In a Ryūrei ceremony, the guests are seated in chairs instead of on the floor and the host prepares the tea while seated. The host usually has an assistant for this style of ceremony who serves the tea and moves the host’s chair. This style was developed to accommodate foreign guests who are more comfortable sitting in chairs than on the floor.
Tips for attending a tea ceremony in Japan
Tourists can enjoy tea ceremonies with varying degrees of formality at many Japanese gardens, cultural centers and hotels. Kyoto and Uji are especially known for their tea culture. Follow these tips to make the most of the experience as a visitor.
Arrive early
Everything in the tea ceremony is precise and orderly. Being late will throw it all off. Punctuality shows respect for your host and eagerness to participate.
Follow the etiquette
Japanese culture heavily emphasizes politeness and hospitality. The Way of Tea reflects these values. The etiquette and spirituality of the ritual date back centuries! At tourist-oriented tea ceremonies, there is less pressure to know everything, but it’s still important to show respect for the procedures and rules.
Wear white socks
Guests are expected to take off their shoes when they enter the ceremony. Keep your feet covered when it happens. Traditionally, Japanese people wear tabi (足袋) socks, which are designed to be worn with thonged sandals. If you don’t have them, plain white socks are also acceptable.
Choose the right formality and length for your visit
The formality and length of tea ceremonies can vary quite a bit. A full, formal tea ceremony is hours long and includes a meal. This can be a bit much for visitors, especially those who have never experienced the ceremony before. Other venues offer abbreviated, tourist-friendly versions. These might be less appealing to visitors who want an authentic, local experience. Research multiple venues and choose a ceremony type that is most appealing to you.
Always show appreciation
From bowing to the host to acknowledging the flowers, gratitude is central to the Japanese tea ceremony. If you notice a detail you like in the room, feel free to say so. Everything in the ceremony is carefully chosen by the host, so it will make them happy if you compliment their choices and ask thoughtful questions. However, keep conversations related to the ceremony. That keeps you and the other guests present in the moment.
Enjoy the experience
Above all else, a tea ceremony should be relaxing. Showing genuine appreciation and curiosity will get you further and create a much more enjoyable experience than memorizing all of the details. Whether you’re in Tokyo with other tourists or off the beaten path in Uji, have fun and take it all in!
Unlock Japanese culture with Rosetta Stone
Tea ceremonies are a wonderful way to explore both the history of the leafy blends and Japanese culture itself. If you find yourself in Japan, we highly recommend partaking in a ceremony. Keep a lookout for special events at your local Japanese garden, too. Many host tea ceremonies of their own that don’t require you to travel!
While a guide like this is a helpful tool in building your knowledge of Japanese culture, there’s no replacement for learning about it firsthand. Learning Japanese can help you do just that. With Rosetta Stone, there’s no need to be intimidated by unfamiliar alphabets—and there’s no need to spend months memorizing vocabulary. Our immersive, bite-sized lessons help you learn naturally in a fun, engaging environment. Plus, TruAccent can help you finetune your pronunciation!
Written by Luca Harsh
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