The Japanese Tea Ceremony is all about preparation, demonstration, and portrayal of the habit of serving tea. The tea poured is typically a powdered green tea called matcha. This ceremony is seen as an art form and incredible emphasis is placed on the bestowal of the tea.
The tradition of how to perform the Japanese Tea Ceremony incorporates joining a circle or group that congreates on a regular basis. These circles may include those of junior high or high school age and even university students. These may be hosted at a private home or at a dedicated tea school. Classes may be divided among older women, younger students, or any selection of a particular class. There are normally monthly fees involved which are meant to cover the cost of tuition and the equipment, which is comprised of bowls and cups for the ceremony.
For the Way of Tea, studying students must bring their own fukusa, fan, kobukusa, and the kaishi paper 1 a container for placing these items into. Wearing of kimonos may be required, depending on the teacher and their traditions. With the westernization of many customs in Japan, the attire can be more modern. Advanced students might get liberty to wear a school mark instead of traditional family crests. This would be on a proper montsuki kimono along with the bestowal of a tea name or chamei given to the student.
Performing the Japanese Tea Ceremony starts by amateur students watching those who are more advanced as they practice the ceremony. New students learn from more experienced students who in turn learn from the teachers. Some of this priceless learning includes:
*Learning how to use the sliding doors correctly
*Mastering how to properly walk on tatami (mats or Japanese flooring)
· How to enter and then exit a tea room fittingly
*How and when to bow including whom to bow to and when it is done
*How to wash, care for, and store the tea cups and other equipment
*How to correctly fold the fukusa or wrapping cloth
*The ritual of cleaning the tea equipment, washing and folding the chakin
The meticulous practice of how to perform the Japanese Tea Ceremony or Way of Tea consists of learning how to conduct oneself when a patron at a tea ceremony, proper conversation, manipulation of the bowls, how to use sweet picks, paper, and many other acts important to the ceremony.
As these traditional actions are learned the students will be instructed as to how the powdered tea is made, how to fill tea caddies, as well as how to measure water and tea and then whisk to the suitable consistency. It is a conservative, laborious order of tasks to learn how to perform the Japanese Tea Ceremony, but that is part of what a tradition is all about.
Get ready by getting your own green tea set!
For tips on starting Asian Decor, check out "Just 'Enough" Asian Decor" by asiablossom.
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