But what is it, which makes the world highlight the Japanese way of tea more than the way of any other culture? The answer is in this article or the other hundred articles titled ‘The Japanese Tea Ceremony.
At this point, the other hundred articles have already become pointless because there is nothing a Japanese tea ceremony. A ceremony is something bound by strict rules and orders, whereas the practice we talk about is more like a sacred ritual for the mind and soul.
Unlike ceremonies, it has been moulded and reformed various times. The practice popular today has come a long way from first being introduced by monks for helping in meditation to an event held by shoguns and generals to show off their wealth to a practice done by the common man to appreciate every moment of life.
The Japanese Tea Making and Drinking:
Today, Japan has three different schools of tea making and drinking; Urasenke, Omotosenke and Mushanokojisenke, which furthers our argument of how diverse the culture is, or may one say a ritual performed variously by distinguished minds.
Not only the culture is diverse but the ritual also caters to people from various walks of life at the same time. This is made possible by the range of elements present during the practice and the point will be proven as we move forward.
How Is the Ritual Performed?
Let us now finally begin to talk about how the ritual is actually performed and why it is highlighted across the globe.
The ritual itself takes place in a traditional style Japanese room which has one door towards a simple and peaceful garden of the inner courtyard for the gusts, and another from inside the house where the host enters from.
The floor is covered by tatami mats and has an alcove for a scroll that represents the ritual theme and an arrangement of seasonal flowers. There is a small hearth on the floor to boil water for the tea.
How Is It Practised and Made?
The practice starts when guests arrive, and then the host begins to brew tea by putting a scoop of matcha in the tea bowl, then pouring hot water and whisking both with a bamboo whisk.
All these instruments are purified by the host with a silk cloth. The cup is of high importance because it is the vessel that contains the star element of the ritual. The bowl or cup is generally a family heirloom that represents the family name and reputation of ancestors, sounds familiar?
The tea is of high quality and is pleasing to all five senses specially selected by the host. Slightly bitter in taste, it is accompanied by a Japanese sweet made from bean paste called Waghashi, also designed according to the theme.
The ritual is a meditative one meant to heal a person troubled by all kinds of worldly affairs and re-establish our bond with nature.
For this purpose, the people present in the ritual are always dressed in simple attire and are devoid of gaudy and expensive things. Even the conversations revolve around simple things of life such as nature or the elements of the event.
The ritual is meant to be a speed breaker on the fast-paced roads of life. It is to rejuvenate us from within and fill us with exhilarating energy to be a better version of ourselves. At the end of the day, it is about paying attention to the small things of life that often get forgotten.
Written By - Yuvika Jain
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