Explanation about Japanese traditional culture tea ceremony

Have you ever heard of the word tea ceremony? You may have heard of it through media works such as movies and anime. In fact, the tea ceremony is one of the most important aspects of Japanese culture that greatly reflects the aesthetics and values of the Japanese people. This time, I would like to introduce you to such a tea ceremony. 　

What is the purpose of tea ceremony?

Tea ceremony is a traditional Japanese culture in which the host makes tea and serves it to guests in a calming manner, and the guests enjoy the hospitality. Drinking tea is also called a “tea ceremony”,and through this interaction you can learn about spiritual cultivation, etiquette, and Japanese values.

Main components of tea ceremony

The flow of the tea ceremony begins with washing your hands.

After washing your hands, enjoy the beautiful Japanese-style garden and calm your mind before entering the tea room.

After entering the tea room, you sit straight on the tatami mat and carefully handle utensils such as tea bowls and tea containers.

Following proper etiquette, set the matcha in a bowl, pour hot water over it, and grind the mawashi tea vigorously.

It is customary to enjoy sweets while having tea at the end.

Matcha is a powdered form of green tea that has become widely known overseas in recent years, and is richer and more luxurious than the tea you usually drink.

During the tea ceremony, many interesting performances are devised to entertain the guests. In addition, utensils and Japanese sweets incorporate many artistic elements that pursue beauty, and the more you learn about them, the more they become an important part of Japanese culture.

Aesthetics of tea ceremony

The aesthetics of the tea ceremony expresses the Japanese spirit of calming the mind through tea and valuing harmony with others and nature.

Wabisabi(侘び寂び)

In the tea ceremony, luxury is avoided as much as possible in pursuit of simple beauty. The tea room and bowls are designed to evoke a sense of wabi (lonely beauty) and sabi (loneliness/loneliness).

Ichigo Ichie (一期一会)

This means “Ichigo Ichie” is once in a lifetime.In the tea ceremony, each encounter is cherished, and every moment of making and drinking tea is precious.

Respect and gratitude

In the tea ceremony, it is important to have respect and gratitude towards the other person and the utensils when making and receiving tea, and it is a Japanese aesthetic that values harmony with others and nature. is reflected.

History of tea ceremony

The history of the tea ceremony is old, and it was introduced from China to Japan around the 9th century. Initially, it was drunk for medicinal purposes and for Buddhist training, but gradually it became popular as a daily drink.

In the Kamakura period, tea ceremony became popular and the tea ceremony (the method of making tea) was established, and in the Muromachi period, tea ceremonies consisted of various elements such as tea rooms, tea utensils, and tea ceremony rituals. It has matured as a culture.

Sen no Rikyu is famous as a historical figure who greatly contributed to the development of the tea ceremony. Rikyu was a military commander and cultural figure in the Edo period who taught the importance of spiritual training and etiquette through tea ceremony, perfected it as an art form, and established the Rikyu school of thought. 　

Summary

The tea ceremony is not just about drinking tea, it is a culture that embodies the Japanese aesthetic sense of calming the mind and valuing harmony with others and nature, and is sure to be a wonderful experience for people from overseas as well.

Please come and experience a tea ceremony when you visit Japan.

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