The Japanese Way of Tea

        The Japanese tea ceremony, or the "Tea Kaiseki", is one of the most honorable, harmonious ceremonies in Japan--the next best way to achieve spiritual purification besides visiting a shrine itself.
        The ceremony has long been in practice for hundreds of years, even before medieval Japan. It adopted Chinese tea practices and Zen Buddhist beliefs during the medieval era; however, it was finally modernized by the grand tea-master, Sen no Rikyu, whose ideals of the ceremony are still in play today. Only males who are descended from his family can becomes a tea master, either by already being in the family tree or by marrying into the family. Women can also conduct these ceremonies, yet can never achieve the status of a tea master. Despite this overarching rule, one of Sen no Rikyu's ideals of the kaiseki was that each ceremony conducted would be unique, meaningful, and symbolic to the party involved.The ceremony usually has 3 to 4 guests, the last guest most often a close friend and assistant to the tea master. The kaiseki is based on seasons, so the venue must be decorated and the tea master must be clothed accordingly. The use of certain utensils is significant as well, pertaining to each season by color, shape, size, and meaning. Throughout every season, the ceremonies always include a thick and a thin tea, and if it is a formal kaiseki, there is a meal included as well.
        On the surface, a tea kaiseki can look superfluous in detail, a meaningless practice that only further serves to promote the stereotypical Japanese mannerisms of rigidness and reverence. However, this special ceremony goes way beyond that: it is an emotional experience and purifying practice for the host and the attendants. Its goal is to leave everyone involved with a refreshed mind, a calm demeanor, a purified spirit, and satisfaction, but still craving enough to return again. Guests have a waiting room to reside in before the host is ready for them, and once the host begins, even the journey to the serving room is significant. It symbolizes the entrance to the spiritual realm, and must be decorated beautifully so that it is aesthetically pleasing to the guests. Once it has been entered, they physically purify themselves by washing their hands and mouths in a stone water basin. Once sat on the tatami mat, the host enters and greets his or her guests with a deep, formal bow. Every movement made by the host at this point is to honor and respect the guests, even the placement of the host's utensils plays a role in interacting with the guests.

{http://kyotonanba.com/}

        On our trip, we will be observing and participating in an introduction to a tea ceremony, as a normal ceremony can span many hours. Currently, we know that we will be able to drink the tea and even make our own tea! Additionally, on the 14th and 15th, we will be eating a restaurant kaiseki-style dinner, able to engage in a group setting over a multi-course meal and of course, thick and thin tea.

Bethany J. (Class of 2015)