In Japan, serving tea is a spiritual practice as well as a work of pure, refined art. Chado, the preparation and serving of Matcha (powdered green tea) to guests, is a Japanese cultural custom primarily influenced by Zen Buddhism. Focusing on the ‘present’ and paying close attention to the ritual has always been central to the tea ceremony.
A master by the name of Sen no Rikyu turned the tea ceremony into an art form some 400 years ago. As a kind of art, the tea ceremony is a lovely opportunity to appreciate the simplicity of the tea room, the sensation of holding the chawan (tea bowl) in one’s hands, the unique company of others, and a peaceful moment of purity.
Mindfulness — Paying Attention
Zen practice requires mindfulness, and so it went when making and consuming tea. Zen monks gradually incorporated tea into their daily lives, paying close attention to every aspect of its production and usage.
The teishu (host) performs the ceremony itself, which is a complex performance. Everyone in attendance must pay close attention to the ritual, remembering that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that it is ichi-go ichi-e (one time, one meeting). Some tea ceremonies can even run up to four hours.
