The Secret of Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japaneses Tea Ceremony is one of the most time honoured and ancient tradition in Japan. It shows hospitality and respect.

History of the Ceremony

It was during the eighth century that we see the first mention of a formal ceremony where drinking tea can be found, although, that ritual likely differs greatly then the tea ceremony of today. A Chinese Buddhist Priest wrote a book called "Cha Ching". This book described described the proper method of preparing tea including the use of proper tea vessels and the temperature of the hot water. It is believed that through this book developed the tea ceremony you would see today in Japan.

How to Accept at a Tea Ceremony

The steps are not difficult and are actually quite simple. You invite some guests, serve sweets and mix the bitter powdered green tea know as matcha with water. It is said that the combination between the sweets and the bitter tea compliment each other like a symbol for harmony. If you ever find yourself at one these are the basic six steps to accepting the tea from your host.

1. First you bow when you receive the cup of tea which is called a chawan
2. Next you take the chawan (tea cup) with your right hand and place it in the palm of your left hand.
3. Then you turn the tea cup clockwise three times before you drink it.
4. When you have finished the tea be sure to make a loud slurp to let the host know you have enjoyed it.
5. Next you wipe the part of the cup that has touched your lips with your right hand
6. You then turn the chawan (tea cup) counter-clockwise three times and return it to your host.

This may seem to be quite the actions to go through for merely a cup of tea, however, it is not just a tea drinking occasion this ceremony hold much more. There is an element of aesthetics, social ethics, and perhaps a religious experience as well. Many may think that it is easy to preform a tea ceremony. Although the making of the tea and the serving may seem simple enough it has been said that learning to serve a tea ceremony is like playing an instrument. If you learn quickly you may learn the actions quite well in a few weeks. However, if you truly want to master the art it will take more like ten years to truly understand and learn it.
The loveliest form of this event is the Chaji which is the tea ceremony at it's finest involving a full tea presentation with a meal. The Japanese tea ceremony is lavish and expensive as each item used in the ceremony is considered an art piece as well as utensils.
If you are ever lucky enough to be invited to an authentic tea ceremony you will be dazzled and amazed at how beautiful and fluid it is. It is very ritualistic and can be anywhere from twenty minutes to five hours in length. Remember when attending that this is not just a past time but an artistic expression. If you can look at it like that you will be amazed at how truly beautiful it is.