What is Japanese Tea Ceremony? — Explained in 6 simple steps
Chanoyu（茶の湯）, Sado（茶道） or simply the Japanese tea ceremony, is a ritual that is religiously followed in Japan. Japanese matcha green tea is served in a series of choreographed steps, with the host simply gliding through the whole ceremony. In order to balance the slight bitterness of the tea, traditionally prepared Japanese sweets are also served along with it.
This whole process is more than just about making tea. It is an aesthetic compilation of certain predefined movements coordinated in such a way that each action comes straight from the soul. Every movement and every gesture made by the host are done in consideration of the guest’s comfort. From the placement of required utensils, the point of view of the main guest, or Shokyaku (正客), is always considered.
Tea ceremony is so deep, and there are so many different “ryuha,” or divisions, that have different approaches.
But I tried to summarize the simple ceremony in easy, simple steps so that you could understand what they are.
Steps involved in the Japanese tea ceremony
A very strict protocol needs to be followed when executing the steps of the Japanese tea ceremony, or “Way of Tea.” While these steps, along with the myriad of utensils used, might seem a bit difficult to understand at first, breaking them into the following 6 steps would enable the reader to gain a certain degree of familiarity with the same.
While there are some variations in the steps involved in the different types of Japanese tea ceremonies celebrated, the basic steps remain the same.
- Preparation of the host for the ceremony:
This starts weeks in advance of the actual day of the ceremony, with the host sending out formal invitations to the invitees or guests. Then comes the part wherein the host prepares her soul so that it can leave the worldly thoughts behind and start to put all its focus on imbibing within herself a sense of equilibrium and harmony.
2. The start of the worldly preparations usually commences with the selection of the right utensils based on:
- The season when it is being held and
- The time of day when the ceremony is slated to be held
Then comes the stage when the tea room or the tea garden, whichever is to be used depending on the season, is cleaned, the utensils are washed and kept ready for use to prepare the premium green tea, and the tatami is changed.
Lastly, if the tea ceremony is inclusive of a meal, the host starts to prepare for the same in the early hours of the morning.
3. Preparation of the guests for the ceremony:
The guests, too, have to undergo a process of spiritual preparation for the same by leaving their worldly worries aside and purifying their hearts and their thoughts.
On the day of the ceremony, they have to wait outside for a signal from their host, which indicates that the host is ready to receive them in the tea room or tea garden.
They have to wash their hands before entering, and this symbolizes their washing away the dust gathered from the world outside. While entering after receiving a signal from the host, the guests have to bend and pass through a low door.
This is taken to be a way of showing the respect one has for the host. It is also a sign of acknowledgement and thanks for the preparations that the host has made for the ceremony.
