The Japanese Tea Ceremony

In Japan, the tea ceremony is deeply rooted in history and culture. It reflects the art of preparing and sharing matcha. In a humble house, the host uses bamboo utensils to prepare the green tea. Guests then drink the matcha from a decorated bowl, the central element of the ceremony. This ritual of precise, deliberate gestures grew from Chinese traditions and Zen Buddhism. Its origins trace back to the 12th century, though most of its codes were established by the tea master Sen no Rikyū in the 16th century.

The History of Japanese Tea and the Ceremony

The history of tea in Japan begins in the 9th century, when a monk brought leaves back from China. In the 12th century, the Zen master Eisai championed the virtues of tea and matcha. Inspired by Chinese ceremonies and Buddhism, he passed the art of tea on to the Japanese people, and the tea ceremony — known as chanoyu — came into being. Later, Sen no Rikyū refined the tea ceremony. This great 16th-century tea master established the guiding principles of the ceremony: harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Today, learning chanoyu requires attending a dedicated school. The Urasenke school remains the most celebrated.

The Equipment Used in the Japanese Ceremony

Throughout the tea ceremony, the host and guests make use of various utensils and objects, each with a specific role.

• Chawan bowl. Often hand-crafted in ceramic, the bowls are the centerpiece of the Japanese service. They hold a place of great importance in the ceremony. Each bowl has one decorated side and one plain side.
• Chasen: a small bamboo whisk. The host uses it to blend the matcha powder with water.
• Cha ire: a tea caddy holding the matcha powder before preparation.
• Chashaku: a small scoop used to transfer the powder from the cha ire into the bowl.
• Hishaku: a bamboo ladle with a long handle, used by the host to pour the water.
• Chakin: a small cloth used to wipe the bowl.
• Fukusa: a square of silk used by the host for various ritual gestures.

The Tea Ceremony, Step by Step

The tea ceremony is an intimate gathering — no more than five guests may take part. A true ritual in Japan, it unfolds through precise, ordered gestures. In its full form, it can last up to four hours. Here is how the tea master and guests conduct themselves throughout.

Welcoming Guests to the Pavilion

The tea ceremony takes place in a small house. Before entering, the host leads guests through a Zen garden that reconnects them with nature. On arriving at the pavilion, each guest washes their hands and rinses their mouth with water, as a way of purifying themselves from the outside world.

Greeting Guests on Arrival

The host welcomes guests into the pavilion. Each guest takes care to remove their shoes. The low doorway requires them to bow, as a sign of respect toward the tea master. At the entrance, an alcove displays a seasonal flower arrangement, along with a painting or a calligraphed scroll. Guests admire the decoration in silence and compliment the host on the arrangement. They then move further into the house, taking in the Zen, harmonious atmosphere. Finally, they take their places on the tatami, kneeling in seiza position.

Seasonal Meal or Light Sweet Treats

The tea ceremony begins with a seasonal meal: light, vegetarian and refined, known in Japanese as kaiseki. The meal is optional; some ceremonies begin with sweet confections instead.

Cleaning the Service and Preparing the Matcha

The heart of the chanoyu begins. The host brings water to heat in a cast-iron kettle over a charcoal fire. He then gathers his utensils and cleans each one in turn with his fukusa. Before preparing the matcha, he rinses both the bowl and the chasen. To prepare the matcha, the tea master uses the chashaku to scoop powder from the caddy. He places the matcha in the bowl, then transfers water from the kettle using the bamboo ladle. He whisks the mixture with the chasen until a smooth, velvety green tea is achieved. Depending on the season or the type of ceremony, the host chooses to prepare a thin or thick matcha, varying the amounts of powder and water accordingly.

Drinking the Matcha from the Bowl

Once the tea is ready, the host presents the bowl to the first guest, the guest of honor. This guest raises the bowl toward the tea master, then acknowledges the second guest as a sign of respect. They then turn the decorated side of the bowl to face the host. This detail carries great significance within the ceremony. They take a first sip and share their appreciation with the host, before drinking two more sips. They take care to wipe the rim of the bowl before passing it to the next guest. Each guest drinks their three sips. The last guest returns the chawan to the guest of honor, who takes a moment to admire the beauty of the object before returning it to the host.

The Close of the Ceremony

The tea master may choose to prepare another bowl of matcha, or bring the ceremony to a close. In this case, he presents the utensils to the guests after cleaning each one. The guests admire the elegance and simplicity of the objects. Finally, the host quietly accompanies his guests out of the pavilion. He dismantles his arrangement, and the chanoyu is over. You don't need to be Sen no Rikyū or study at the Urasenke school to enjoy a bowl of Japanese tea. For a tea ceremony at home, try our matcha tea.