Tea Time!

The PTA at one of my Junior High Schools (Habu JHS) organized a "mock traditional tea ceremony". An actual traditional Japanese tea ceremony is extremely serious, precise, and very long. This was an opportunity for "regular" Japanese people (and me!) to attend and participate in a ceremony without having to take a million lessons beforehand.

It is a popular hobby for Japanese people, to take tea ceremony lessons to learn more about their culture. The classes are held in traditional Japanese rooms (tatami floors). There are many rituals that have to be memorized. Almost every movement that you should make is predetermined. Basically, tea is prepared by the host and served to the guests. After eating a small sweet, the guests drink the tea. The host will taje the cup back, and move to the next guest. This is an extremely abbreviated version of what is to happen! (....I've included more details at the bottom if you're interested!)

There was a teacher with her husband and 5 students that demonstrated making the tea, serving the tea and drinking the tea. It's amazing that something as simple as having a cup of tea has so many rules! We all got to try all of the steps, which took about 2 hours because there were 15 of us there....that makes 2 hours of sitting on our knees! Ouch! (I don't understand how Japanese people can sit endlessly on their knees!?!?!)

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WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT THE JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY:

The tea is a bitter green tea made of powdered tea leaves.

The ceremony takes place in a tea room, the chachitsu. The room has minimal decorations. Usually the focus of the room is a scroll, with calligraphy writing. The subject of the scroll is chosen by the host to reflect a mood or the season. The guests customarily spend a moment to appreciate it before sitting down.

When the host enters, the guests give thanks for the invitation, and briefly comment on the scroll. However, the time in the tearoom usually involves little conversation.

The host heats waters in an iron kettle, then rinses and wipes the tea bowl and utensils. He/she places powered green tea in a bowl with a bamboo dipper, then whips the tea with a whisk until the surface is slightly frothy. It is then served to the guest. The guest must excuse himself/herself to the person next in line for going before them.

The tea bowls can vary in design, based on the tastes of the host or the season. The guest takes the cup with the left hand, steady it with the right and bow to the cup (funny, i know!) Turn the cup clockwise twice...this turns the picture away from where you drink. Drink the tea (preferably with 3.5 sips), then wipe the place where you drank with you right thumb and index finger. Turn the cup back so that the front faces you, and place on the floor in front of you. When the cup is returned to the floor, the front must be turned toward the host. Then the host's assistant will take it away and everyone bows.

There's a lot more to this...but you get the idea....it's complicated!!!

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