JAPAN
"Chanoyu" - Japanese Tea Ceremony
(The following excerpts are taken from the book,
Tea Ceremony by Shozo Sato)
What is Japanese Tea Ceremony?
The spirit of the Japanese tea ceremony is based upon four special principles: "wa" (means harmony), "kei" (means respect), "sei" (means purity) , and "jaku" (means tranquility). When you include all these elements, you can fully enjoy the beauty of simply drinking a bowl of tea.
How the Japanese Tea Ceremony Developed
The history of the tea ceremony began with a Buddhist monk, Eisai, who brough tea plants from China to Japan in 1187 AD. From Eisai's tea plants, grew a whole culture of tea in Japan.
By the end of the 15th century, tea was becoming more available to the general public who could create their own versions of the tea ceremony.
Many people helped transform the tea ceremony into what it is today, but the following were the most influential:
Murata Shuko: He was a buddhist monk who was the first person to hold tea ceremonies in a small room with only a few guests. Shuko emphasized the "study of humbleness".
The Merchants of Sakai: This class of wealthy traders held tea ceremonies in small rooms with few guests. The setting was peaceful and simple. These merchants were the first to use Japanese folk crafts in the tea ceremonies instead of items imported from China.
Sen no Rikyu: He was a Sakai merchant and student of Taken-Jo-o, who was famous for his tea ceremonies. When they prepared their tea ceremonies, they took into account the season, time of day, and the social occasion. Rikyu organized the steps for preparing bowls of tea that are still used today. Rikyu's tea ceremonies emphasized modesty, spirituality and the beauty of simplicity.
"Youth becomes old easily;
accomplishing study is difficult.
While you are daydreaming by the river bank in spring, already the leaves foretell the coming of autumn."
This ancient statement means that any study is difficult and seems to have no end. The discipline of the tea ceremony also takes a lifetime of study to master. Yet the journey brings rewards, because there is always more to discover and rediscover - not only in the beauty of the craft, but in sharing the simple joy of drinking tea with your friends with wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity) and jaku (tranquility).
Tea Utensils
Tea Bowls - (Chawan)
Tea Containers or Caddies (Chaire and Natsume)
Tea Scoops (Chashaku)
Tea Whisks (Chasen)
Water Dippers (Hishaku)
Small Brocade Mat (Kobukusa)
Silk Cloth (Fukusa)
Disposable linen cloth (Chakin)
Tea Kettles (Kama)
Fresh-Water Containers (Mizusashi)
Waste-Water Containers (Kensui)
Lid holder for teakettle (Futa Oki)
Wooden Trays
Teapot
Flower Vase
Basic Steps in Preparing for a Japanese Tea Ceremony
(Taken from Tea Ceremony by Shozo Sato)
Step 1: The Receiving Room (Yoritsuki)
The role of the receiving room is to make the guests feel welcome. It is important that the guests are able to relax and get ready for the tea ceremony.
Step 2: The Passageway (Roji)
After the guests have finished their preparations (using the restroom if needed, removing coats, etc), guests will move outdoors to the garden called a "roji". The roji is a specially prepared passageway that leads to the tearoom.
Step 3: The Space for Symbolic Cleansing (Tskukubai)
The roji (passageway) will lead to the tskububai (which literally means "squatting down"). One at a time, guests will crouch down in front of a basin, pick up the dipper and dip out water to rinse their hands and mouth. This physical cleansing helps the guests to feel refreshed in both mind and body.
Step 4: The Waiting Area (Machiai)
After each guest has finished with the cleansing process, they go to the waiting area (machiai) to wait for the rest of the guests fo finish. After everyone has cleansed, the host will appear. Evreyone bows simultaneously, without conversation. The host will return to the tearoom and sound a gong, the sign to enter the tearoom. The sound of the gong symbolized the sound of temple bells.
Step 5: Entering the Tearoom (Chashitsu)
The guests enter the tearoom and sit in their positions. Each guest places a fan in front of his/her place and bows and thinks about the meaning of the scroll that is hanging in the tokonoma (alcove in front of the tearoom). Also on display in the tokonoma will be a vase of flowers called Chabana or "flowers for the tearoom" (usually a flower representing the season is placed in the vase).
The host enters from the mizuya (the area where the preparation has taken place next to the tearoom) and places a fan in front of him/her and bows.
An important statement is said, "Ichi za konryu" ("ichi" means one, "za" means group, and "konryu" means to become one unit). This phrase means that during all of the activities that take place in the tea ceremony, guests must be sensitive to the host's movements and steps. The main guest (person in first position st the ceremony) must be especially "in tune" with the host.
When the host and guests can reach this understanding silence, the members within the small tearoom become one unit and this "oneness" is called "ichi za konryu". In a sense, this spirit is the whole purpose for having this tea ceremo y gathering called "cha no yu".
Japanese Celebrations
"O-Iwai Shimasho!"
(Let's Celebrate!)
January 1st - O Shogastsu "Japanese New Year"
January 15th - Seijin-no-hi "Coming of Age Day"
February 3rd - Setsubun "The Bean-Throwing Ceremony"
March 3rd - Hina Matsuri "The Doll Festival"
April - Sakura & Hanami "Cherry Blossom Viewing Party"
and Kan-butsu-e "Buddha's Baptism Celebration"
May 5th - Kodomo-no-hi "Children's Day"
Summer - Natsu
July 7th - Tanabata "The Star Festival"
August - O-Tsukimi "Moon Viewing"
September through October - Undo-Kai "Athletic Meets"
November 15th - Shichi-go-san "7-5-3 Festival"
Other Happy Event - Sono-ta-no-gyoji
Baby's First Visit to a Shrine - Miyamairi
Baby's First Meal - O-Kuizome
Birthday - Tanjo-bi
Wedding - Kekkon-shiki
For those interested in Japanese tea ceremony lessons or attending a Japanese Tea Ceremony,
you may contact:
Holly Siebert Kawakami
Japanese Tea Ceremony (cha-no-yu)
Cultural Instructor
"Creating Peace through a Bowl of Tea"
Holly is a member of Chado Urasenke New Mexico and has studied Japanese Tea Ceremony for many years at the Urasenke School of Tea in Kyoto, Japan.