Crash Course on Japanese Tea Ceremony - Tea Ceremony Japan Experiences

Tea Ceremony has a history that dates back to more than a thousand years. The Japanese tea ceremony is one of the most recognized and iconic rituals in the country. To know more about the tea ceremony, read below interesting information and see how one can sign up for the course. Tourists and visitors often get both intrigued and surprised that there are steps to be followed when experiencing this ritual. However, it is an experience that is rather fun and enjoyable.

Tea Ceremony Timeline

In the 9th Century, tea culture traveled from China to Japan. The customs of serving tea did not become popular until the 13th century. By the late 15th and 16th centuries, the tea culture was ceremonially-prepared by a fully-skilled tea master and served to guests in a restful and tranquil setting. This way of preparing and serving tea has become known as “Chanoyu”, literally “hot water for tea”.

Tea Ceremony Tools

In order to prepare for the tea ceremony, it is best that the student must know the background for the tools used. There are essential items needed in a tea ceremony that are used by a tea master. Also referred to as Chadougu, the ceremonial tools are what embodies the philosophy of zen. Tools usually reflect the master of the tea ceremony. This helps students observe and understand why a tea master prepares the best ceremonial tools. The tools include:

• Tea Bowl (Chawan): The tea bowl is used for the tea preparation. It is also used for drinking the prepared tea. One of the factors for the bowl is the seasons of Japan, where learners might see a thick chawan in the winter or a shallow one in the summer.
• Tea Whisk (Cha Sen): Cha Sen is the Japanese name or term for the tea whisk of the tea ceremony master.
• Tea Ladle (Chashaku): Cha Shaku or tea ladle is used to scoop powdered tea or matcha.
• Cleaning Cloth for Chawan (Cha Kin): Cha Kin is another cleaning cloth that is only used for wiping the tea bowl.
• Cleaning Silk Cloth (Fukusa): The purpose of the tea cloth is to clean the tools used in the tea ceremony.
• Tea Pot (Kama): The usual Japanese teapot used in a tea ceremony is made of iron. Its purpose is to heat the water to use in the ceremony.
• Tea Caddy (Natsume): The tea caddy is used for keeping the tea fresh and storing the tea after preparation.

Online Tea Ceremony and the Virtual Tea Class by Maikoya

Nowadays, the Japanese tea ceremony is also called “Chanoyu”, “Sado” or simply “Ocha” in the Japanese language. The tea ceremony is also likened to the choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called “Matcha”, along with traditional Japanese sweets called “Wagashi” to balance with the bitter taste of the tea. Thanks to the global connection made by the internet, anyone can learn about the Japanese tea ceremony in their homes.

Maikoya is one of the pioneering institutions in Japan to provide online cultural experiences that have attracted media coverage. It is a must-try experience for tourists or a must-try for students and fans of Japanese culture. This course is recommended for people interested in Japanese culture, traditional tea practices, and tea fanatics. The course is also perfect for those who want a more intimate one-on-one experience.

Features and Celebrations

The tea house, tea making, and tea instructor are all as authentic as they come. Students get to learn from teachers right from the tea room of Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony. Maikoya is the largest experience provider of its kind in Japan, with branches in three major cities and catering to over 100,000 guests. For birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations of all kinds, enjoy private and privileged moments one will never forget.

What to Prepare

For the tea ceremony tools, participants should prepare:

• A tea bowl or a regular bowl having 8-20 cm in diameter (any medium-sized bowl is OK)
• Hot water in a thermos flask or container
• Matcha powder or any tea bag - including regular black teabags
• Anything sweet (e.g. a small dessert, cookie) on a small plate
• A handkerchief

Notes on Reserving Tea Ceremony Online

• Reservable time slots are Japanese Standard Time (use thetimezoneconverter.com to work out the best time for your location).
• Please join the meeting using a device with a video camera and microphone (iPhone, MacBook, Airbook, webcam, etc.).
• The teacher has to prepare for the meeting by wearing a kimono and setting up the tea ceremony room, which takes hours.
• Please acknowledge that a cancellation fee applies if a student is unable to participate in the meeting.