Japanese Tea Ceremony

Introduction

Ceremonies are reflections of culture. This may vary from country to country, but the focal point of the ceremony always remains the same-the reflection of culture. Culture is a blank sheet, an empty pigeonhole where forms of life are expressed through the actions and words of community members. Since every society is dynamic, complex, and ever changing, ceremonies play a central role in the cultural work of human activities (Stefnsson pp. 85).

Objective of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

The objective of the Japanese tea ceremony is to create a relaxed communication between the host and his guests. It is based in part on the etiquette of serving tea (Temae), but is also includes the intimate connections with architecture, landscape gardening, unique tea utensils, paintings, flower arrangement, ceramics, calligraphy, Zen Buddhism, and all the other elements that coexist in harmonious relationship with the ceremony. Its ultimate aim is the attainment of deep spiritual satisfaction through the drinking of tea and through silent contemplation. On a different level, the Japanese tea ceremony is simply an entertainment where the guests are invited to drink tea in a pleasant and relaxing room (Stefnsson pp. 85). The bonds of friendship between the host and guests are strengthened during the ceremony when the host himself makes and serves the tea (Ritzer (b) pp. 45).

The Way of Tea

Outside of Japan, the preparation of powdered Japanese green tea is known as “The Japanese Tea Ceremony”. The Japanese refer to it as “Chanoyu” which can be translated literally as “hot water for tea”, Chado or Sado translates to "the way of tea" as in devoting one's time totally to the study and practice of the Japanese tea ceremony. The western understanding of "a ceremony" is a set of formal acts, often fixed and traditional, performed on important social or religious occasions (Nihon pp. 46).. However, rather than fixed, the Japanese Tea Ceremony does have flexibility since every occasion and different season calls for special and unique preparations, choice of utensils, choice of flowers for arrangement, a hanging scroll to describe the kind of tea-meeting and objective of the host.

And rather than religious it could be better explained that the host will do the best he can by studying all related aspects such as calligraphy, flower arrangement, cooking, the wearing of a kimono, ceramics and much more(Nihon pp.50).. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to call it “The Way ...