Japanese Culture Crazy by Petit Japon: Japanese Tea Ceremony

"Drinking Japanese green tea " is an art form in which it has taken a simple and everyday activitiy.

It is so called "Cha no yu" or preferably "Sado", the cult is the traditional Japanese way of drinking green tea in accordance with set rules of etiquette and a tea ceremony room.

Both the host and guests share a sense of togetherness in using variety of tea ceremony items during the ceremony. The cult was completed by Rikyu Sen who was the considered the historical figure with the most profound influence on the Japanese tea ceremony, especially the tradition of wabi-cha in the Azuchi-Momoyama era in the latter half of the sixteenth century.

In the tea ceremony, green tea is made by putting powdered tea leaves with tea spoon so called "Cha-syaku" from a powdered tea container so called "Natsume" into a tea bowl so called "Cha-ki" then pouring hot water by a dipper so called "Hisyaku". It is then stirred till foamy with a whisk so call "Cha-sen" and served, eventually drunk up.

The taste of green tea for the tea ceremony is slightly bitter than other Japanese tea. However, it does a good match with a Japanese sweet in which is served during the ceremony.

The etiquette of the tea ceremony concerns the manner in which the host usually serves the guests fine aromatic tea in a traditional tea bowl, is made of ceramics, of exquisite beauty, and the manner in which guests show their appreciation.

How the guests do is that they lift up the tea bowl after drinking it then bowing their thanks to the host in the way they accept the tea.

The tea ceremony etiquette has been influenced by the etiquette observed by the "Samurai" classes as well as by the one of classical Japanese art forms of "noh" dances. In turn, the tea cult has greatly influenced traditional Japanese customs and manners. Inner sprit is considered more important than the ritual form in the tea cult, and the heart of the tea ceremony lies in the selfless manners in which the host serves green tea to the guests.

In inviting the guests to a tea ceremony, the host always takes utmost care in the preparation of his / her tea ceremony room, the adjacent Japanese-style garden, tea utensils and the provision of simple dishes for the guests in the tea ceremony room. Although a person who invited to a tea ceremony for the first time is well advised to acquire some knowledge about the cult beforehand, till he should remember that the most important thing is the way guests express their sense of gratitude for the hospitality shown them by the host.

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