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