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- How difficult is the tea ceremony? What manners should you follow?<\/a><\/li>\n
- When did tea ceremonies first start?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Who is Sen no Riky\u016b<\/a><\/li>\n
- What is so different about Japanese tea?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u25a0<\/span>How difficult is the tea ceremony? What manners should you follow?<\/h2>\n
The tea ceremony (sado <\/em>also\u00a0chado<\/em>) is often considered a very formal affair with a strict set of rules that must be followed. But like most things, when you learn the meaning behind the rituals and customs, it begins to make sense and can open up a whole new world of understanding.<\/p>\n
Here are a few common questions about the ceremony and my best attempt at explaining the answers.<\/p>\n
\u30fbWhy do you rotate the tea bowl before drinking?<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nEach tea bowl has a front, usually decorated with a picture, but sometimes not. Regardless, it has a front. The bowl will be placed in front of tea ceremony guests with the front facing towards them.<\/p>\n
To boldly drink directly from the bowl’s face is a sign of rudeness. Guests show restraint and good manners by slightly rotating the face to one side before drinking. If you’re thinking “Oh, but I want to enjoy the beauty of the picture while I drink”, don’t worry, there is time for that later in the ceremony. In the beginning, you should concentrate on enjoying the flavor of the tea.<\/p>\n
\u30fbWhy do guests crouch down while looking at the tea bowl?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/06\/japanese-tea-main-img13.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThis is the posture you should have while admiring the tea bowl, with the bowl placed directly on the tatami floor. Here is your chance to take in the beauty of the bowl, as I mentioned above. It is important to understand that some of the pottery used in the tea ceremony can be very old and very valuable. You do not want to drop the bowl, so viewing it in this manner is the safest bet for you and the pottery. Plus, it’s polite.<\/p>\n
\u30fbDo I need to remove my watch and accessories?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/06\/japanese-tea-main-img06.jpg\")
<\/p>\nActually, yes. The tea master takes great care in selecting implements and tools for each ceremony to match the seasons and weather. The garden in view will be well-cared for and the tearoom will be decorated with seasonal flowers and art. As great care is taken by the tea master, it’s important to reciprocate the gesture and show respect for the tea implements by ensuring you do not accidentally chip or scratch them with jewelry. \u00a0It would also be rude to constantly check your wristwatch during the ceremony, as you should be immersed in the experience. It is polite to remove accessories and watches before entering the tearoom.<\/p>\n
There are slight differences in tearoom manners among the three major tea ceremony schools, Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Mushak\u014djisenke. However, the main thing to keep in mind is that each school emphasizes care and thoughtfulness. Be polite and appreciate the unique moments spent together in the tearoom. Rather than worrying about the customs as a set of strict rules, it is much more pleasant to consider them simple demonstrations of kindness and respect.<\/p>\n
\u25a0<\/span>When did tea ceremonies first start?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/06\/japanese-tea-img26.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSen no Riky\u016b(1522-1591) is considered by many as the first tea master, but he certainly did not create the tea ceremony from scratch.<\/p>\n
Tea first appeared in Japan in the eighth century having been imported from China. Buddhist monks Gy\u014dki and Saich\u014d (aka Dengy\u014d Daishi) are credited with introducing tea to Japan. Gy\u014dki was a very influential figure in Japan known for popularizing Buddhism among the masses and helping the poor. Saich\u014d is the founder of the Tendai sect of Buddhism and established the Tendai headquarters at Enryoji on Mt. Hiei. They both played important roles in importing tea and tea-drinking customs from China and planting tea on Japanese soil.<\/p>\n
During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Eisai, another monk. who after traveling to China introduced new tea cultivation and production practices to Japan. Legend says that Eisai managed to cure the third Sh\u014dgun, Sanetomo, who was suffering from a hangover by serving him tea. The Sh\u014dgun then famously praised the medicinal properties of green tea.<\/p>\n
Eisai later wrote “How to Stay Healthy by Drinking Tea” (Kissa Yojoki<\/em>), which is considered the first specialized text written about tea in Japan.<\/p>\n
In the early days of tea, it was primarily used for its medicinal properties and was only consumed by members of the elite social classes (e.g. the Sh\u014dgun). Later, during the Muromachi period (1336-1573), it became custom to drink tea using expensive imported Chinese tea ware. And tea-tasting contests were held to see who could determine the growing region of the tea leaves.<\/p>\n
However, a new aesthetic created by Murata Juk\u014d took hold, known for its rustic simplicity and use of Japanese bowls and instruments. This was the beginning of the wabi-cha style tea ceremony that we see today. It emphasizes spirituality and takes place in cozy relaxing tearooms.<\/p>\n
Takeno J\u014d\u014d continued the wabi-cha tradition and taught it to his pupil Sen no Rikyu, which brings us to this very famous tea master.<\/p>\n
\u25a0<\/span>Who was Sen no Riky\u016b?<\/h2>\n
- When did tea ceremonies first start?<\/a><\/li>\n
![\"Sen](\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/36\/Sen_no_Rikyu_JPN.jpg\/256px-Sen_no_Rikyu_JPN.jpg\")
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