CHANOYU: THE ART & TRADITION OF THE

JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY

LEQ: What key aspects of Japanese culture and tradition are represented in chanoyu?

CHANOYU, CHADO, SADO• Pronounced chäˈnô-yo͞oˈ• equivalent to cha (tea)  + no  (particle) + yu  (hot water)

An open tea house serving matcha (reproduced in 1846, originally compiled in 1500). The monk depicts the relationship between matcha culture, tea ceremony and Buddhism.

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO TEA

MATCHA

How is matcha produced?

THE HISTORY OF TEA PRACTICE IN JAPAN• Explain how the tea practice in

Japan evolved.• What two key factors

contributed to the development chanoyu?

FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLESThe chanoyu is a way to relieve the stress of everyday life, even for just a short while, by immersing in the Zen aesthetics of serenity and peace. Here are four of the philosophies portrayed in a Japanese tea ceremony:• Wa (harmony) – found in all the elements used in the ceremony

and the room. The combination of colors, décor, equipment, all complement each other.

• Kae (respect) – evident from the moment the guests pass through the nijiriguchi, a small entrance to the room. Guests kneel and bow to the hanging scroll, and sit as equals on the tatami mat. Each tea object is handled with the utmost care.

• Sei (purity) – all stress and worry are left behind for a time. The space is meant to provide relaxation in the good company of friends. This concept is emphasized by the cleaning ritual of certain tea equipment such as the chawan, or tea bowl.

• Jaku (tranquility) – this concept can only be achieved once the first three have been acknowledged and accepted.

THE TEAROOM

Tokonoma - alcoveScroll & chabana (“tea flowers”) arrangement which has roots in Ikebana (traditional flower arrangement)

CHANOYU SEATING - SEIZA

CHANOYU UTENSILSHearth/Fire pit - Ro

Ladle – Hishaku

White Cloth – Chakin

Tea bowl – Chawan

Tea caddy- Natsume

Tea scoop - Chashaku.

Tea whisk – Chasen

Colored cloth for symbolic cleansing -

Fukusa

Folding Fan - Sensu

Chanoyu, the Way of Tea, is based upon the simple act of boiling

water, making tea, offering it to others, and drinking of if ourselves. Served with a

respectful heart and received with gratitude, a bowl of tea satisfies both physical and spiritual thirst.

~ Sen. Soshitsu XV

What key factors of Japanese culture and tradition are represented in chanoyu?

Works consulted:Lai, Selena and Karen Tiegel. Tea and the Japanese Tradition of Chanoyu. SPICE. Stanford, 2005.