The Tea Ceremony
When tea is made with water drawn from the depths of mind
Whose bottom is beyond measure,
We really have what is called cha-no-yu.
(Toyotomi Hideyoshi)
A tea ceremony (cha-no-yu) is the ritual of preparing, serving, and drinking green tea, made of powdered tea leaves (matcha). It can last up to five hours, depending on the types of tea and meal served.
The tea ceremony consists of many ritualized steps, which tea masters have to learn by heart. A tea master’s knowledge is not limited to preparing tea. It extends to the arts, crafts, poetry, and calligraphy. It includes arranging flowers, cooking, and gardening.
The ritual has been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. Its prime objective is to appreciate the moment. Thus, it draws the guests’ attention to the simple beauty of nature and things, seen in a twig, a flower, or a hand-crafted bowl.
First, tea bowl, whisk, and scoop are ritually cleaned and arranged in a certain order. Then, an amount of green tea powder is placed in the bowl. After that, the tea master adds hot water and whisks the tea. Then, the bowl is served to the guest of honor, who bows to the second guest, and raises the bowl in respect to the host. The guest rotates the bowl, takes a sip, and whispers a set phrase. He or she wipes the rim, rotates the bowl, and passes it on to the next person until it returns to the host.
On July 3, 2006 Teekampagne invited guests to a tea tasting at Sanssouci near Berlin. At this occasion, a tea ceremony was performed by tea master Hiroyo Nakamoto.
Whose bottom is beyond measure,
We really have what is called cha-no-yu.
(Toyotomi Hideyoshi)
A tea ceremony (cha-no-yu) is the ritual of preparing, serving, and drinking green tea, made of powdered tea leaves (matcha). It can last up to five hours, depending on the types of tea and meal served.
The tea ceremony consists of many ritualized steps, which tea masters have to learn by heart. A tea master’s knowledge is not limited to preparing tea. It extends to the arts, crafts, poetry, and calligraphy. It includes arranging flowers, cooking, and gardening.
The ritual has been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. Its prime objective is to appreciate the moment. Thus, it draws the guests’ attention to the simple beauty of nature and things, seen in a twig, a flower, or a hand-crafted bowl.
First, tea bowl, whisk, and scoop are ritually cleaned and arranged in a certain order. Then, an amount of green tea powder is placed in the bowl. After that, the tea master adds hot water and whisks the tea. Then, the bowl is served to the guest of honor, who bows to the second guest, and raises the bowl in respect to the host. The guest rotates the bowl, takes a sip, and whispers a set phrase. He or she wipes the rim, rotates the bowl, and passes it on to the next person until it returns to the host.
On July 3, 2006 Teekampagne invited guests to a tea tasting at Sanssouci near Berlin. At this occasion, a tea ceremony was performed by tea master Hiroyo Nakamoto.