Japan has a refined tea culture. The Buddhist monks Eichū, Siachō and Kūkai made the drink popular in the 9th century. At first, tea was mainly used for medicinal reasons, but over the years it turned into a relaxing ceremony. This is because drinking tea was linked to the ascetic Zen way of living.

The Japanese tea ceremony is held in a tea pavilion in a tea garden. Before participants can enter the garden they need to take off their shoes and change in a dressing room. Guests receive a plain kimono, white socks and slippers. All other redundant objects are left behind in the room. Then the guests continue to the waiting room where they wait until the host gives them a signal, telling them that all the preparations are finished.

 

When it is time the guests walk through the tea garden towards the tea pavilion. Before they enter they need to wash their hands and mouth in a special washing bowl. The pavilion itself is a very remarkable building. It’s small and sober building. Guests have to kneel and bow to enter the low entrance. This position shows humility and respect and dissolves any differences in rank or class. The inside of the pavilion is not decorated, with the exception of the tokonoma. This is a small alcove that cannot be entered. A long time ago the tokonoma would be decorated to give the tea ceremony a special and personal touch or to express a political stance. Nowadays the room is decorated with flowers and Buddhist objects.

The ceremony

The tea ceremony is held in a specially dedicated room called the cha-shiatsu. All guests are assigned a spot where they take place in a kneeling position. The most important guests will face the tokonoma with their back. Because the host does not want to show off the decorations, this is seen as a sign of humility. Before they drink the tea, a few small appetizers and Japanese wine is served. The time that the guests spend eating and drinking is used to complete the final preparations. The host cleans all the utensils and then adds green tea powder to a bowl. Next, water is added which is slowly stirred with a tea brush. These actions are carried out with care, respect and attention to detail. When the host is finished, the tea will be presented to the guests. Mind you: there are also rules for drinking the tea. You need to pick up the bowl with your right hand, then place it in your left hand. Spin the bowl in your hand until the side with the most decorations is showing to the other guests. Only then, you can take a sip. When you drink the last drops of tea, make sure to do this with a loud slurping sound as a sign of your appreciation.

When the ceremony is finished, all the utensils are carefully cleaned and stored away. Depending on the amount of guests and the hosts, a ceremony can last from one up to five hours.