Chanoyu

A Brief History and Description of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

Chanoyulit, “hot water for tea”refers to the tea ceremony

Chadō or Sadōlit, “the way of tea”refers to the whole culture of tea, its philosophies and practices

Words for Tea

History of Chanoyu

Eisai (1141-1215)father of tea” founder of Zen Buddhism in Japanbrought powdered tea from China to Japan in 1191interested in the health benefits of tea, promoting it as “a remedy for all disorders” (Tanaka 29)

History of Chanoyu

Shukō (1422-1502)“father of chanoyu”advocated simplicity in chanoyu

Takeno Jōō (1504-1555)further developed teachings of Shukōthe most important and respected tea master of his time

History of Chanoyu

Sen no Rikyū (1521-1591)student of Takeno Jōōtea master to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the samurai who reunified Japan in 1590made his tea ceremonies “open to men of all classes without distinction”emphasized humility, simplicity, closeness to nature, harmony, reverence, purity, calmtaught wabi cha, or “tea of quiet taste” (Sen 6)

History of Chanoyu

Daimyo chacourt style of chanoyu, practiced by most tea masters after Rikyūaristocratic elegance, reflecting the wealth and nobility of the lordsdaimyo cha tea masters: Furuta Oribe, Kobori Enshū, Honami Kōetsu, Katagiri Sekishu, Matsudaira Fumai, Hosokawa Sansai, Kanamori Sōwa, and Yamada Sōhen

History of Chanoyu

Sen no Sōtan (1578-1658)grandson of Sen no Rikyūworked to preserve Rikyū’s wabi style of teahis three sons established the three branches of the Senke School of Tea: Mushanokōjisenke, Omotesenke, and Urasenkethe two largest schools of tea today are Urasenke and Omotesenke

Practice of Chanoyu

Roji: the tea garden

Chashitsu: the tea room

Chabana: the art of arranging flowers for tea

Kakemono: the hanging scroll

Temae: the art of making and serving tea

Practice of Chanoyu

Kaisekimeal should be artistically displayedfood is both served and eaten according to a carefully prescribed ritual

Practice of Chanoyu

Kashi (sweet cakes)namagashi (moist cakes)

higashi (dry cakes)

tea bowl 1

tea bowl 2

girl serving tea