Ancient Japanese and Chinese cultures built tea huts in their backyards, mirroring mountain hermitages, recognizing the importance of a healthy life for everyone from the poor and middle class to government officials. These sacred spaces were where they could shed their ranks and responsibilities, feeling as carefree as if walking in the clouds.
My own experience with tea ceremony was an eye opening experince. In "The Way of Tea," Chapter 3, Aaron Fisher recounts a favorite tea shop with a sign on the door that reads, "Leave your ego here." I was very inspired by it and I wanted to share today in this newsletter the simplicity mindset behind the tea ceremony of Japanese.
If you've experienced a tea ceremony, you'll grasp its essence. For instance, the entrance to the tea room is through a low door, symbolizing the shedding of all pretenses. This act encourages participants to engage in open and honest conversations, liberated from the typical roles of parents, spouses, siblings, etc. It's an invitation to release inner tensions, embrace laughter, and clear our minds of any burdens.
The Japanese tea ceremony, also known as "Chanoyu," or "Sado," is a ritualized form of making tea rooted in Zen Buddhism. The ceremony is more than just drinking tea; it's a spiritual and philosophical experience emphasizing harmony (和), respect (敬), purity (清), and tranquility (寂).
The tea ceremony was popularized in the 15th century by a samurai named Murata Jukō, who is considered the founder of the wabi-cha style, a more austere and simple ceremony that contrasted with the extravagant tea gatherings of the time. This style appealed to the samurai class, who were influenced by Zen Buddhism and its ideals of simplicity and mindfulness. The tea ceremony provided a peaceful respite from the turmoil of the Sengoku period, a time of near-constant military conflict.
Samurai Influence and Role of Woman
The samurai used the tea ceremony not only as a form of meditation and a way to cultivate patience, concentration, and discipline but also as a neutral ground for political discussion and alliances. The tea room was a place where the sword was left at the door, symbolizing a temporary suspension of status and hostility.
Initially, the practice of the tea ceremony was dominated by men, especially those within the samurai and noble classes. However, over time, women started to participate more actively. By the Edo period (1603-1868), tea ceremony had become an essential part of a woman's education, particularly among the upper classes. Learning the tea ceremony taught women grace, proper etiquette, and the art of hospitality, which were highly valued traits.
Women in historical Japan were custodians of the family's tea utensils, which were often precious family heirlooms, and played a crucial role in hosting tea gatherings. While the tea ceremony was an avenue for samurai and men of the ruling classes to form bonds and conduct political dialogue, for women, it became a means of socialization and exercising artistic expression through the careful selection of utensils, sweets, and kimonos, which could convey subtle messages and demonstrate their aesthetic sense and education.
Preparation of the Tea Ceremony
The preparation for a Japanese tea ceremony is meticulous and involves several steps, designed to show respect to the guests and pay homage to the principles of Chanoyu. The host must carefully clean the tea room and the utensils, a process that is in itself meditative. The choice of utensils and decorations (such as scroll paintings and flowers) is thoughtful, reflecting the season, occasion, and the message the host wishes to convey.
The ceremony itself might vary depending on the school and the formality of the occasion but generally involves the following:
1. Purification: Both the host and the guests purify themselves before entering the tea room, symbolizing the shedding of the outer world's troubles and entering a state of purity.
2. Serving Sweets: Guests are served sweets before the tea, balancing the bitter taste of the matcha (powdered green tea).
3. Preparation of the Tea: The host meticulously prepares the tea in a graceful and prescribed manner, often involving the whisking of matcha with hot water in a tea bowl.
4. Serving the Tea: The tea is served to guests, who receive it with formal gestures of respect and gratitude.
5. Discussion and Appreciation: The ceremony closes with a discussion about the tea utensils, the tea, and other topics, allowing for a moment of shared appreciation and reflection.
One of the most famous and popular is Kimono Tea Ceremony Kyoto Maikoya which merges the tea ceremony with other cultural activities like kimono dressing and wagashi making. This experience has earned the 'Travelers' Choice' award on TripAdvisor in 2021. Other notable experiences include the Chazen Tea Ceremony and Shitamachi Yoitoko, where you can receive lessons in English.
The Japanese tea ceremony remains a cherished tradition, symbolizing the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility, and continues to be practiced with reverence in Japan today.
References:
"The Way of Tea" by Aaron Fisher
Urasenke Foundation: Urasenke Official Website
