
Japanese Tea Ceremony — Part 2
It is traditional for guests of the Japanese tea ceremony to go through five different spaces: the receiving room, Yoritsuki, the specially prepared passageway (usually outdoors), roji, the place for symbolic cleansing, tskukubai, the waiting room, machai, and finally the tea room itself, chashitsu.
The four elements of the Japanese Tea Ceremony are carried through from the preliminary stages right through to completion. Harmony (wa), respect (kei), cleanliness or purity (sei), and tranquillity (jaku) are experienced during the cleansing, and peaceful surrounds as the guests make their way to the tea room. This sets the tone for a tranquil tea drinking gathering.
Once the guests have entered the tea room, the host enters through a sliding door from the tea kitchen (mizurya) and bows silently to his guests. The guests return the bow, and the host welcomes them. It is expected that the main guest shows his appreciation for the hospitality.
This courtesy is part of ichi za konryu which means ‘one group’ or ‘one unit,’ unity being the main purpose of the tea ceremony. This unity is achieved through the main guest and the host being sensitive and in tune with each other’s movements throughout the ceremony. This silent and gracious mutual respect and unity creates the harmonious atmosphere so important in the Japanese tea ceremony.
Once seated, sweets are usually served first while the host prepares the tea. These sweets, often a work of art in themselves, do not contain artificial or overpowering flavors so as not to detract from the flavor of the tea. It is expected that the guests participate in light conversation and avoid controversial discussion so as not to disturb the tranquility of the tea ceremony.

The host then brings the tea tray into the tea room to his eagerly waiting guests. The tea utensils are covered with a cloth called a fukusa. This is removed with much care and ceremony, as is every part of the serving of tea, and folded in a very specific, circular way. It is then placed very deliberately at the 7 o’clock position on the round tea tray. Not the smallest detail is overlooked in this methodical ceremony. Everything is important.
The tea bowl, chawan, is placed slightly off center, the whisk, chasen, at the 12 o’clock position, and the linen cloth (disposable), chakin, at the 1 o’clock position. The tea caddy is moved to the 10 o’clock position, with the tea scoop, chashaku, placed at 5 o’clock and the fukusa back at 7 o’clock. Symbolic cleansing then begins using the fukusa, each item being wiped in a very deliberate fashion.
The next step in the ceremony is called the casen toshi or examining of the whisk. Hot water is poured into the tea bowl, and the whisk is moved slowly around the inside of the bowl and lifted out at intervals to inspect the strands of the whisk. This step serves to check and moisten the strands of the whisk and to warm the tea bowl. The whisk is then returned to the tray standing upright with the black knot on the handle facing the guests. The tea bowl is dried using the linen cloth, again following a very methodical procedure.
And now it is time to make the tea. Matcha (powdered green tea) is traditionally served, hence the need for the whisk. Two scoops of matcha are placed into the bowl, and hot water poured over the top. The host then whips the tea to a nice green froth, examines it and presents it to his guest.

The finishing of the ceremony is as graceful as the serving. Hot water is poured into the tea bowl which is cleaned with the whisk, and each other item is carefully wiped with the fukusa. The fukusa is then placed over the tray, and the waste water bowl removed first. The tea tray is taken back to the tea kitchen by the host with as much dignity and grace as it was first delivered. The host returns and bows respectfully to his guests.
The Japanese tea ceremony is full of dignity and respect, though its apparent formalism is not to be esteemed above the enjoyment of the guests. Consideration and preference for the guests’ comfort and enjoyment are at the fore, and the Japanese way of tranquility and peace ensure this. A simple tradition that can be easily imitated at home, the Japanese Tea Ceremony is a must experience for the tea connoisseur.
