The Japanese tea ceremony is a one-of-a-kind Japanese social practice, which started in the 15th century. It has advanced and transformed over the centuries, as well as today there are various styles and colleges of tea in Japan. Regardless of the numerous designs and schools of tea, they all share the same overall philosophy, which has been formed by its beginnings in Zen Buddhism.

The assisting approach of the Japanese tea ceremony hinges on the concepts:

‘ Wa’- Consistency

‘ Kei’- Respect

‘ Sei’- Pureness

‘ Jaku’- Calmness

Among the essential historic figures in the Japanese tea ceremony – Sen no Rikyu, is believed to have emphasized these principles in the advancement of the tea ceremony. Sen no Rikyu is credited with having actually created all the action in the tea ceremony as well as with turning it right into a routine which he gave onto his students.
Sen no Rikyu stressed the spirituality and the simpleness in the art of drinking environment-friendly tea.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Today

Today the Japanese tea ceremony is still actively studied by students of any ages. There are tea ceremony clubs in senior high schools, cities and also the countryside. Although the Japanese tea ceremony was restricted to just the rich in the past, today it is something everyone can participate in.
Aside from individuals studying the tea ceremony as an interest, they are also held to mark a special event (wedding) or time of the year ( Brand-new Year). That is why, a lot of Japanese individuals have
experienced the tea ceremony, more than likely by attending at one.

The Setting

The Japanese Tea Ceremony typically happens in a standard Japanese tatami room. A standard tea room has actually a elevated niche at the front of the room, which is merely and elegantly embellished with a hanging scroll and a flower arrangement.
The hanging scroll generally has a simple poem written in Japanese calligraphy, which has actually been meticulously selected by the host to set the mood and environment of the tea ceremony.

The Tea Ceremony Itself

There are several steps which the host will execute throughout the tea ceremony. One of the most crucial thing for the host to do for the visitors, is to create an environment of harmony and also calm.

Originally the host will certainly greet the waiting visitors, by serving them some typical Japanese sugary foods.
The host will then bring in the tea and tea tools to be utilized in preparing the tea (There are several one-of-a-kind utensils utilized just in carrying out the Japanese tea ceremony).
The host will after that tell the guests to loosen up, as well as appreciate their desserts while the tea is prepared.
Throughout this moment there are typically no words spoken, as well as the visitor can observe the host preparing the tea.
Once the matcha green tea has been prepared, it is served to the visitor.
The host will ask the visitor ‘How do you like the tea?’, to which the guest replies saying ‘It is extremely delcious’.
Besides the visitors have actually delighted in and completed consuming alcohol the tea, the host cleans all the tools and afterwards invites the visitors to hold and look at them. Each tool including the tea container, the tea inside story and dish are hand-crafted by knowledgeable artisans. Right now, the visitor can ask the host questions regarding each tool ( musician, design and so on).
Lastly, the host will take all the tools and tea out of the cafeteria and also say thanks to the guests for coming, marking completion of the tea ceremony.

Brigita Feltham is the designer and also proprietor of Infusious Tea. After spending over 3 years in Japan, environment-friendly tea came to be a part of Brigita’s daily lifestyle as it is for the majority of Japanese people.

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