Chanoyu – Japanese tea ceremony

Have you heard of the famous Japanese tea ceremony? In this article, we will talk about everything regarding the origin, curiosities, requirements, formalities, house, and objects used in the tea ceremony called Chanoyu.

The Japanese tea ceremony is a traditional activity influenced by Taoism and Zen Buddhism, in which powdered green tea “matcha” [抹茶] is ceremonially prepared and served to guests in an environment of simplicity and goodwill, surrounded by peace, respect, harmony, and purity.

The tea ceremony is known by the name “chanoyu” [茶の湯], which literally means “hot water [for] tea”; it is also known as “chadō” or “sadō” [茶道], which means “the way of tea.”

We also recommend reading:

• Why do Japanese women not shave their pubic hair?
• Sanpaku Eyes – Superstition, Death, and Meaning
• Kimono – Everything about traditional Japanese clothing

The History of Tea in Japan

It is unclear when tea was introduced from China to Japan, but it is generally said that Saisumi, who returned from Tang in 805, brought tea seeds and planted them in Sakamoto, at the foot of Mount Hiei.

Furthermore, it is noted in the dedication table that Kukai was also familiar with tea when he dedicated the book he requested during his stay with Emperor Saga. According to recent research, it is highly possible that it was already introduced in the Nara period.

There are seven poems that include the story of tea being served in a temple, indicating that the tradition of savoring tea mainly in temples in Kyoto was inherited during the Heian period. It is believed that the tea introduced in ancient times was “Tencha.”

Origin of the Tea Ceremony in Japan

The tasting of matcha was introduced in the late 12th century by the monk Eisai. At that time, tea was a precious drink that was also used for medicinal purposes.

The custom of drinking matcha spread among the priests of Buddhist temples and the upper classes. In the 16th century, during the Momoyama period, drinking tea became popular among other groups in Japanese society.

Sen no Rikyu – Considered the Japanese master of the tea ceremony, established a set of teachings that persist to this day.

Sen Rikyu defined 4 basic principles: harmony (Wa), respect (Kei), purity (Sei), and tranquility (Jyaku) and believed that each ceremony was unique and could not be reproduced.

Requirements and Formalities for the Tea Ceremony

Conducting the tea ceremony correctly is quite difficult. The practitioner of the tea ceremony needs to have knowledge of traditional arts, architecture, landscape gardening, and floral arts.

Including the cultivation and varieties of tea, Japanese clothing (kimono), calligraphy, ceramics, etiquette, and incense. In addition to the formal procedures of their style of chanoyu. Thus, studying the tea ceremony practically never ends.

Even to participate as a guest in a formal ceremony, one must know the predefined gestures and phrases, the appropriate way to behave in the tea room, and how to serve oneself tea and sweets.

The formalities associated with this ceremony reveal the complexity of the postures to adopt in Japanese society.

The tea ceremonies can take on a simpler character (chakai – “tea gathering”) with typical sweets, light tea (usucha), and an appetizer (tenshin) or can take on a more formal character (chaji – “tea matters”) that can last up to 4 hours and also includes a traditional meal (Kaiseki) and strong tea (Koicha).

How the tea ceremony is conducted varies according to the school to which the host belongs, the occasion, and the season of the year. However, there are basic similarities:

Tea House – sukiya and chashitsu

The tea house is called sukiya [数奇屋] and also chashitsu [茶室], which literally means tea room. This house is usually located in a wooded area like a traditional Japanese garden.

The tea house typically consists of a preparation room called “mizu-ya,” a waiting room called “yoritsuki,” and a garden path called “roji.”

The typical characteristics of “chashitsu” are “shoji” sliding windows and doors made of a wooden frame covered by translucent Japanese paper, tatamis, a “tokonoma,” and it has simple, soft, and stylish colors. The ideal size of a chashitsu floor is 4.5 tatamis.

Utensils Used in the Tea Ceremony

The utensils of the ceremony are called dōgu [道具], which literally means “tools.” The number of dōgu needed in a ceremony varies depending on the school and the style of the demonstration.

Their variety, specific names, and combinations of use make it impossible to create a list of all the utensils used in tea ceremonies. There are even specific dictionaries that reach hundreds of pages.

Below we have a simplified list of some essential items used in a tea ceremony:

• Fukusa (silk cloth)
• Chawan (bowl)
• Natsume or Cha-ire (container for powdered tea)
• Chasen (whisk for preparing tea)
• Chashaku (spatula for serving powdered tea)
• Chakin (cloth for cleaning the bowl)
• Hishaku (bamboo ladle)
• Kensui (container for dirty water)
• Tana (small shelf for placing utensils)
• Kama (iron kettle)
• Furo (braziers)

The Tea Ceremony – Chanoyu or chado

The ceremony lasts about 4 hours, men and women wear discreetly colored clothing, and all movements have a meaning. When serving the first cup of tea to the guest, the design of the cup should be facing them.

On more formal occasions, men wear silk kimono with three or five family crests and traditional white Japanese socks called tabi. Guests should have a folding fan and a cushion made of small paper napkins called kaishi.

Despite the existing variations in conducting the tea ceremony, there is a common principle: the simplicity and elegance of gestures.

When moving around the space, one must not step on or place objects on the black lines of the floor. The rule is that the main guest should be in front of the host and must kneel exactly on the sixteenth strip.

One should only pick up the chawan (ceramic bowl) after bowing in thanks to the person who served it. Nothing is spoken throughout the ritual. It is a moment of meditation and absolute silence.

Tea Ceremony in Brazil

It is possible to participate in a tea ceremony outside of Japan. In Brazil, some Japanese communities hold this event or even teach newcomers everything necessary to participate in a tea ceremony.

We recommend searching the websites of Chadourasenke and Bunkyo where you can find various information about events and tea ceremony performances. Even courses and teachings can be acquired in this community.

There are also Brazilian Portuguese websites entirely focused on the tea ceremony. If you live in São Paulo, you might want to visit the Chado Urasenke Center of Brazil in the Bunkyo building in Liberdade.

Types of Japanese Tea

See below the 3 main types of teas used in the tea ceremony in Japan:

Matcha [抹茶] – Powdered or ground green tea, used in tea ceremonies and also to flavor and color sweets and some Japanese foods.

• Usucha [薄茶] – Weak matcha;
• KoiCha [濃茶] – Koicha is a dense and strong mixture of matcha;

We recommend reading our article: 15 Types of Japanese Tea

Utensils and Products for the Tea Ceremony

Below we will share a list of Amazon Brazil products related to tea:

Videos about the Tea Ceremony in Japan

To understand more about the tea ceremony, we will leave some videos below to conclude the article. I hope you enjoyed the article. If you did, please share and leave your comments. Hugs!