The Japanese Tea Ceremony
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Tea Ceremony.

The term tea ceremony is largely outmoded today. The few times it is used, it is usually meant to refer to a particular Japanese ritual that involves drinking tea. There are, of course, other words used to describe this ritual, such as Sado and Chado.

Not surprisingly, the origin of this ceremony dates back as far as the 14th century; and was closely linked to the Zen Buddhist monks, who often saw drinking a bowl of tea as an act of worship. That is not where the tradition ends, however. In the 16th century, this tradition was altered when Sen No Rikkyu decided to transform it into something different, something that was specifically related to the Zen Buddhist monk doctrine.

The actual ceremony consists of many rituals and is designed to focus the senses so that those taking part give all their attention to the present moment and their surroundings.

The host or hostess will have carefully chosen all the decoration in the tea room – the flowers, wall hangings and tea utensils, creating a pleasing environment for the guests, and the guests will spend some time admiring these items before kneeling down on the reed mat (tatami) to watch their host perform the ritual of lighting the charcoal fire.

The host wipes the tea container, tea scoop and bowl as a symbolic purification. Then they use a bamboo whisk to mix the powdered green tea (matcha) with hot water. This tea is a thick liquid (koicha), and one bowl is passed between the guests who drink from the same place on the bowl. The host then adds more charcoal to the fire and prepares a thinner, frothier tea (usucha), to be served to each guest in individual bowls.

Throughout much of Japan, many people observe this actual ceremony, drinking a bowl or cup of tea in order to celebrate the ordinary. Some even study this actual ceremony, going to a teacher for several hours per week to learn how to prepare tea for this ritual; or how to even be a guest at such a ritual. Additionally, teachers often show them how to make a fire with charcoal, how to use the utensils needed for the ceremony, and how to prepare tea made out of powder. Teachers often show students a number of other things, such as how to garden, how to craft wood, and how to create pottery and appreciate art and poetry.

A student can create a tea after about threes years of study, but as a tea ceremony requires the knowledge and appreciation of an intricate combination of sensual and spiritual elements, training to become a Tea Master is long, and demands total commitment.