Tea ceremonies are a form of artistic expression.
The tea ceremony is also a very important cultural activity that combines silence, respect, and symbolic purification.
While some Japanese people today only practice the tea ceremony as a hobby, most consider it a traditional art form and call it tea art.
The tea ceremony holds a special place in Japanese culture.
Making and drinking tea is a meditative process that brings calm and balances to participants, allowing them to forget about everyday problems and immerse themselves in the essence of tea.
Over the years, the Japanese have turned the simple activity of drinking tea into a ritual in which bonding and inner peace become the main aspects.
In the Middle Ages, the samurai class used the tea ceremony to form political alliances.
Today, the tea ceremony is practiced as an art form and a unique cultural tradition.
Read the detailed history and timeline of the tea ceremony here
Tea ceremonies are a way to express your individuality.
Bow slowly and thank you for taking the time to do so.
Confirm the intent you set at the beginning of the ceremony.
Remember that your tea ceremony is a personal experience – enjoy it with the tools and traditions that bring you joy as a tea tray a censer and many more
It is no exaggeration to say that the awareness of the uniqueness of each tea ceremony is the core of the study of the tea ceremony and the only way to obtain the three elements of the tea ceremony: Tao (spirit), and learning (tea culture).
Types of tea and reality (through tea preparation exercises). The enjoyment of tea tasting lies in the indescribable charm of the host. By choosing tea utensils and tableware, sorting them according to duties, seasons, and themes…
When the host and guests are in this atmosphere, being able to establish a relationship is the essence of the tea ceremony. (Sasaki, 2002, p.i)
In the tea ceremony, preparing and drinking tea is more meaningful than drinking it.
By paying attention to each step, I can cultivate concern and respect for other beings and non-beings, creating a space for unity. Because of this, I had to slow down.
Tea ceremonies serve as a way to communicate with the spiritual world.
It is understood that tea ceremony is a very broad term that has its own special meaning in each culture.
For some, tea is a source of spiritual harmony, for others, it is a way of getting to know oneself, and for others, it is an opportunity to sit around the dinner table with loved ones.
Still, tea is the only transnational drink that brings together the love of the world.
During the tea ceremony, guests scrutinize carefully selected scrolls, decorations, and tea sets, and observe the tea being meticulously prepared and served by the host.
It is a ritual that brings people together, raises awareness of their surroundings, and makes people admire simplicity.
A ceremony using a kung fu tea set is a form of meditation.
Participants must get rid of all material thoughts, forget worldly things, control material desires, take off their watches, and put down their smartphones before entering the tea room.
The conversation should be kept to a minimum and only at the beginning and end.
Only in this way can we recognize our own nature and gradually experience awakening.
Even the mundane task of cleaning utensils can help a person become enlightened by focusing on that task, and always using a tea container for storage.
