The Concept of Tea Ceremony
Tea is the most popular drink in Japan and an important part of Japanese food culture. Tea drinking originated in China, where tea was introduced to Japan in the 8th century. It was first practiced in the Kamakura period by Zen monks, who drank tea to stay awake during long meditations. At that time, tea was mainly used as a medicinal drink, which was only drunk by priests and the upper class. Later, among wealthy members of society, tea-drinking parties became popular, with participants showing off their elaborate tea bowls to show off their knowledge of tea.
There are many kinds of tea, such as Ryokucha (green tea), Matcha, Konacha, Oolongcha, and so on. Green tea is the most common type of tea, and when someone mentions 'tea' without specifying its type, it is referred to as green tea. People drink it for its taste and aroma, but many more drink it for its acknowledged health benefits. The ability to fend off colds and other infections, combat aging, reduce high blood pressure and protect the circulatory system is highly valued in Japan. People can drink green tea from a bottle at breakfast, in a restaurant, in an office, outdoors in a nearby park, or on the road
Japan has a long tradition of tea ceremony, which is a ritual way of preparing tea. It fuses daily life and behavior with religion, philosophy, ethics and aesthetics, and becomes a comprehensive cultural and artistic activity. It is not only material enjoyment but also through the tea party, learn tea ceremony, edify temperament, cultivate people's aesthetic and moral concepts.
One of the main purposes of the tea ceremony is to allow guests to enjoy the rare tranquility in the fast-paced daily life. All took place in a teahouse called Cha-cha Monastery, a small structure separated from the main house, but usually just a special room in the house. Cha-cha Monastery is exquisite in materials and architecture, giving people a simple and delicate sense of simplicity. Rooms, usually about 3 square meters or less, display a hanging scroll, a flower arrangement, or both. To enter the room, one has to go through a very low door, which is meant to show humility. The tea set used for the tea ceremony seems simple and plain, but it is very delicate, and the making process is quite tedious. (Tea ceremony, 2019.) Guests need to do some cleaning first, such as washing their hands and mouth, which shows their respect for the host, as well as the tea set and tableware.
The host takes the guest into the room first, and after the guest is seated, special refreshments are served. Then, the tea master presiding over the ceremony will light a charcoal fire, boil water, make tea or matcha according to the prescribed action, and then present them to the guests in turn. Guests in accordance with the rules should be respectful hands to receive tea, first thank, then turn three times bowl, light, slow drink, return. Tea ordering, brewing, brewing and offering are the main parts of the tea ceremony, which require special skills and training. The tea ceremony has elaborate rules, such as grinding the tea leaves carefully, wiping the tea set clean, and the host's movements should be standardized, with a sense of rhythm and elegance like dance, but also accurate to the point. The tea is usually very thin and foamy with a mild bitter taste.
After drinking tea, according to the custom, the guests should appreciate and praise all kinds of tea sets. People often discuss the aesthetic value of painting, calligraphy and the bouquets on the wall cabinets, or the value of the tea set itself. After this, the guests to the host to bow to bid farewell, the host warmly sent, the whole ceremony is over. Nowadays, the tea ceremony has become a hobby, and tourists can also experience it in some places. Kyoto is the best destinations in Japan to appreciate the Japanese tea culture.
