| The Japanese tea ceremony is a traditional ritual | | | | host and reveals the theme of the ceremony. |
| based on Taoism (Daoism) and influenced by Zen | | | | The Buddhist scripture on the scroll is called |
| Buddhism in which powdered green tea, or | | | | bokuseki (ink traces) and is admired by each |
| matcha , is ceremonially prepared by a skilled | | | | guest in turn before being seated seiza style on |
| practitioner and served to a small group of guests | | | | the tatami mat floor. |
| in a tranquil setting. Chaji is a full tea presentation | | | | If a meal is not served the host will present each |
| with a meal. As in virtually every tea ceremony, | | | | guest with small sweets eaten from special paper |
| the host may spend days going over minutiae to | | | | known as kaishi, which each person carries in a |
| insure that this ceremony will be perfect. Through | | | | decorative wallet tucked in the breast of the |
| tea, recognition is given that every human | | | | kimono. All utensils to be used in the ceremony |
| encounter is a singular occasion which can, and will, | | | | such as tea bowl, tea scoop, and whisk, are |
| never recur again exactly. Thus every aspect of | | | | ritualistically cleansed in the presence of the |
| tea must be savored for what it gives the | | | | guests in a precise manner and order before |
| participants. | | | | being fastidiously arranged according to the |
| Chanoyu which means "hot water for tea" refers | | | | ceremony being performed. Upon completion of |
| to a single ceremony that involves only tea, while | | | | cleaning and preparing the utensils, the host will |
| the longer version known as Chaji "tea meeting" | | | | place a carefully measured proportion of green |
| entails a full tea ceremony in which a light meal is | | | | tea powder in a bowl along with the appropriate |
| also served, and can last up to four hours. | | | | amount of hot water, and then whisk the tea |
| Mastering the art of the tea ceremony includes | | | | using a precise set of movements. Guests relax |
| years of study that can last a lifetime, as the | | | | and enjoy the atmosphere of the simple |
| student must be familiar with several interrelated | | | | surroundings and conversation is kept to a |
| disciplines such as flower arranging, calligraphy, | | | | minimum. The host then serves the bowl to the |
| ceramics, incense, and the proper technique for | | | | guest of honor, bows are exchanged, and the |
| wearing kimono. Guests who participate in the | | | | bowl is raised to the host in a gesture of respect. |
| ritual must also be aware of the proper conduct in | | | | The bowl in then rotated by the guest to avoid |
| regard to utilizing certain phrases and gestures | | | | drinking from it's front, a sip is taken followed by |
| required to maintain the integrity of the | | | | a prescribed phrase, the bowl's rim is wiped and |
| ceremony. | | | | rotated back to its original position, and is then |
| If tea is to be served in a tea house guests will | | | | passed on to the next guest with a bow. The |
| initially be shown to a waiting room called a | | | | protocol is repeated until all guests have tasted |
| machiai, which is usually a separate structure such | | | | the tea from the same bowl, and it is then |
| as a simple gazebo. After being summoned by | | | | returned to the host who rinses it. The scoop and |
| the host they purify themselves by rinsing their | | | | tea container are then offered to the guests for |
| mouths and hands with water from a small stone | | | | examination, each item being treated with |
| basin known as tsukubai, and then continue | | | | extreme care and reverence as they may be |
| through the garden to the tea house. Removing | | | | irreplaceable handmade antiques passed down for |
| their shoes they proceed through a small sliding | | | | generations. |
| door that is only thirty six inches high, thus | | | | At the conclusion, the guests express their |
| symbolizing that all who enter are equal in stature | | | | appreciation for the tea and admiration for the art |
| irrespective of status or social position. The | | | | of the host. They leave as the host watches |
| roomis not decorated save for a scroll painting | | | | from the door of the teahouse. |
| called kakemono, which has been selected by the | | | | |