How to host an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony: Part 2

The world of Japanese Tea Ceremonies is certainly a supremely majestic and enjoyable one, and that’s why, if it is going to be done properly, it should be respected. A very complex event that requires a deep-seeded spirituality, amidst detailed movements and behavior. Don’t let this sway you though; with our help you will have all the knowledge you need to host an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony at home.

Here, in the second part of our two-part series on hosting an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony, we will be moving on from the equipment required, and on to the step-by-step guide on everything that encompasses the ceremony, from start to finish.

What do I need to do to host an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony?

Invitations

The first thing that needs to be ticked off the checklist is the sending out of your formal invitations. For the invitations, you should bear in mind that they are normally chosen for their visual appeal and are sent with plenty of time in advance, so look to send up to three weeks prior to the event.

Ceremony Room Preparation

A traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony requires you to prepare the room according to the season and the time of day the event is being held. This can also include changing the Japanese mats, or “tatami,” switching out the types of tools used and rearranging the room. For simplicity, a basic tea ceremony can just involve cleaning the room beforehand and making sure that all the supplies you will need are available.

The main difference between preparing tea in summer and winter is that in summer the Kama or iron kettle is placed on a brazier and in winter the Kama is placed in a sunken hearth or Ro which is a square hole in the Tatami flooring. According to this, the utensils used to prepare green tea are placed at slightly different locations.

Receiving of Guests

Guests should wait until the host formally offers an invite into the room that is being used for the ceremony. Following their announcement into the room, the guests should ensure they remove their shoes and then they may enter the room. Upon entering, guests will wash their hands; this is a symbol of purifying themselves. Following this gesture, guests then take their seats according to rank, shortly followed by the host formally acknowledging each guest. If Japanese Tea Ceremony sweets are being offered, this is the stage that they should be served at.

Utensil Cleansing

The host will bring in the Japanese Tea Ceremony Set, once guests are adequately settled. The host should carefully take the time to ritually cleanse each tool, which includes the whisk and the tea bowl.

Preparation of the Thick Matcha Tea

The cleansing of the tea tools has been completed, and now the host should start to prepare a thick matcha tea in the tea bowl.

Thick matcha tea, also known as “koicha matcha”, is blended in a ratio of 3:1; three tsp matcha to one cup hot water. This thick tea is kneaded with the pre-cleaned matcha whisk and is then passed to the guest of honour to take a sip. Next, the guest cleans the bowl with his or her cloth or napkin (fukusa or kaishi), after which the tea bowl is passed to the guest sitting next to the guest of honour. This movement continues until everyone has had an opportunity to drink from the same tea bowl. A customary action is for every guest to offer a compliment to the host while tasting the tea.

As soon as each guest has sampled the thick matcha tea, it is returned to the host for cleaning, at which point ending the formal portion of the tea ceremony.

Preparation of the Thin Matcha Tea

At this point in the event, the host begins to prepare their thin matcha tea, or “usucha matcha.” The blend ratio is an even one at 1:1; one tsp matcha to one cup hot water, which is whipped with the bamboo whisk until frothy prior to being served to the ceremony’s guests. Confections are to be served again at this time if they are being offered.

Tool Cleansing

Once the sampling of the thin matcha tea has been enjoyed by all of the guests, the host cleans the tea set for the third time. A habitual occurrence is for the guest of honour to request an examination of the utensils; at this point, they examine the craftsmanship of the tools that have been used. These can then be passed around to be admired, and this is mainly due to the fact that these tools are often priceless antiques handed down through the generations.

The Departing of the Guests

On average, a characteristic ceremony will last up to four hours, and when the time has come to depart the tea ceremony the host bows to each guest as they leave.