The Japanese tea ceremony, "chakai" or "chaji" as its known in Japan, is one of the most elaborate ceremonies ever invented for sharing a beverage within a very formal and almost religious setting. It actually won’t be wrong to say that the Japanese tea ceremony is a lot more than just "sharing tea." It's a ceremony of spiritual purification and homage for a thousand-year old cultural tradition.
Tea ceremony is such a formalized affair that in Japan there are schools that teach how it should be performed without any errors. There are different ceremonies for summer and winter; for outdoors and indoors; and for the type of tea served. The ceremony requires a special location, special utensils, and a special set of rules even for entering and leaving the ceremony room, or whether to talk and what to say during the ceremony.
In its simplest description, a tea ceremony is one in which powdered green tea and hot water is whipped by a whisk and served to the guests in a unique bowl called "chawan."
Other special utensils used in the ceremony include "chakin" (a cloth used to clean the tea bowl); the tea caddy where the powdered green tea is kept; "chashaku" (the scoop used to transfer the tea from the caddy to the bowl); and "chasen" (the whisk used to whip the hot water and tea mixture into a froth). These utensil are sometimes collectible antiques and they are considered to carry such spiritual significance that there are strict rules even for touching and handling them.
During the less-elaborate chakai ceremony, snacks and sweets are served to the guests. The chaji ceremony, on the other hand, is accompanied by a full-course meal and may last up to four hours.
The traditional rule requires that the server wears a kimono even if it's a male. However, in modern day Japan, Western-style clothes are not that uncommon, especially in the chakai ceremonies.
There are people who spend a lifetime studying, learning and practicing (and teaching) the Japanese tea ceremony. It really elevates the sublime pleasure of drinking a cup of good hot tea to a different level all together.
Check out this Japanese Tea Ceremony utensil collection.
How to Enjoy a Cup of Tea and Wash Away the Stress of the Day…
I've been an avid tea drinker since I was a little kid. It was black tea that was mostly served at our home. A full-bodied robust variety with a lovely deep-red color.
As I grew up I was pleased to discover the world of the amazing green tea as well… the gentle oolong and the precious white tea… and the bewildering variety of herbal teas.
Hot tea is good. Iced tea's even better, isn’t it? It's a companion that won’t let you down.
Yet there's so much to learn about tea. There are so many tea varieties. What’s the best way to brew and enjoy them?
What are the facts about the claimed health benefits of drinking tea? Can one lose weight by drinking green tea, for example?
Then there's the tea hardware … Which tea maker should you buy? What are the features and benefits of different models?
You'll find the answers to all those questions and more right here in this web site.
If you have any tea-related comments or inquiries please let me know. I love tea just like you do.
I raise my cup to your health and happiness!
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