The ritual of tea preparation is very simple; simplicity is one of the defining principles in preparing a bowl of green tea for guests. However, each step of the preparation involves standard movements, and utensils have to be placed at pre-determined locations on the Tatami mat.
Preparation styles vary according to the season or the level of formality of the occasion. But basically, there are two main styles of tea preparation :
1.Preparation of tea with the Furo during summer
- Hakobi-Temae Using the Furo 風炉の運び点前
Hakobi (運び) when translated means to bring. Temae (点前) means the process of tea preparation This is the simplest style among Japanese tea ceremonies because all tea equipment are brought inside the room instead of being on display in the Tana inside the Chashitsu or tearoom.
How tea is prepared in the tearoom when expecting guests :
- Invitations are sent
- Surrounding gardens are cleaned
- Tea utensils to be used for the ceremony are selected
A meeting is held together with the Hantou and Shokyaku.
- The tearoom is cleaned, Shoji paper is changed on the doors and mats are changed
- Kaiseki meal is prepared starting early morning of the day prior to the event
- Planning for any eventualities or unexpected changes is made
- Opening the door
The Sadouguchi Fusuma is opened in two parts, with one hand at a time.
Prior to opening the door, theTeishu puts the bowl of Higashi on the mat, in front of his knees.
- Presenting the sweets
- When opening the Sadouguchi Fusuma , the bowl must be lifted with both hands on one side each.
- Upon reaching the Shokyaku, Teishu sits down and puts the bowl close to the guest of honor. With his head bowed, the Teishu will say: “Okashi wo doozo” which when translated means please have some sweets .
- The Shokyaku also has his head bowed in silence.
- Teishu greets the guests with his head bowed.
- Shokyaku and companions also bow their heads.
- Teishu arranges the clothes to make sure everyone is comfortably seated.
- Carrying of tea utensils inside the tearoom
- The Mizusashi is the first to be brought inside the tearoom and is held with two hands on the left and right side.
- Greeting Guests and Clothing
- Teishu greets the guests with his head bowed.
- Shokyaku and companions also bow their heads.
- Teishu arranges the clothes to make sure everyone is comfortably seated.
- Clean the Natsume
- Wipe the top of the Natsume like the Hiragana syllable こ (Ko), then move down to the left side.It is then placed on the left side in front of the Mizusashi.
- Clean the Chashaku
- Hold the Chashaku at the end; slide the Fukusa forward with the left hand, cleaning from the top to bottom. Repeat then wipe the Chashaku on the sides. Go back up once again and clean from top to bottom.
- Removal of the Futa (lit of the kettle)
- With the right hand, the Futa (the lit of the kettle) is removed from the Kama (kettle) and positioned on the lit and ladle rest called Futa-oki. Use the Fukin from the Chawan and position it on the Futa. Then take the Hishaku with the right hand and put a full scoop of heated water in the tea bowl or chawan. Then place the Hishaku on the Kama.
- Clean the Chasen
- Hold the Chawan (tea bowl) with both hands and slowly tilt the Chawan in counter clockwise motion three times to warm the tea-bowl.
- Scoop Macha into the Chawan
- Remove the lit of the Mizusashi (cold water container) before adding hot water to the powdered Macha (green tea) in the Chawan.
- Guests are now served with green tea.
- Dialogue of the Shokyaku
- The Shokyaku ( the first guest) will move forward by crouching or walking.
- He is the only one permitted to direct questions or make comments about the tea and other dōgu (tea equipment) in the Chashitsu.
- Warming the Chawan
- Hold the Chawan (tea bowl) with both hands and slowly tilt the Chawan in counter clockwise motion three times to warm the tea-bowl.
- Scoop macha into Chawan
- Remove lit from Mizusashi
- Remove the lit of the Mizusashi (cold water container) before adding hot water to the powdered Macha (green tea) in the Chawan.
- Scoop hot water into Chawan
- Whisk Macha and Oyu
- Serve matcha to guests
- Guests are now served with green tea.
- Dialogue of the Shokyaku
- The Shokyaku ( the first guest) will move forward by crouching or walking.
- He is the only one permitted to direct questions or make comments about the tea and other dōgu (tea equipment) in the Chashitsu.
- Clean the Chawan
- Make More Tea
- Procedure for Finishing the Tea Ceremony
- Announce ending of the Ceremony
- Clean the Chasen (tea whisk)
- Clean the Chashaku (tea scoop)
- Ladle fresh water into the Kama (kettle)
- Close the Kama (kettle)
- Take Kensui (waste water receptacle) back to Mizuya
- Preparing of tea with the Ro in wintertime
- Open the sliding door
- Bring in and offer the sweets
- Bring in tea utensils
- Clean the Natsume
- Clean the Chashaku
- Remove the Futa from the kettle
- Clean the Chasen (tea whisk)
- Warm the Chawan (tea bowls)
- Scoop green tea into the bowls
- Remove lit from cold water receptacle
- Scoop hot water into tea bowl
- Mix Macha and Oyu
- Serve matcha (green tea) to the guests
- Speak with Shokyaku (first guest)
- Clean the chawan or tea bowl
- Continue to make tea
- Finish the ceremony
- Announce that the tea ceremony has ended
- Clean the Chasen (tea whisk)
- Clean the Chashaku (tea scoop)
- Put fresh water into the Kama (kettle)
- Close the Kama (kettle)
- Take the Kensui (waste water receptacle) back to Mizuya
- Take the Chawan (tea bowl) and Natsume (tea caddy) to Mizuya
- Take the Mizusashi (cold water receptacle) to Mizuya
Learn more about the elegant and time-honored Japanese tea ceremony from these carefully selected videos listed below :
- Japanese tea ceremony Casual Style
A six minute video explaining briefly the history of the Japanese tea ceremony and talks about some of the Japanese tea ceremony utensils, and how to prepare an informal cup of Japanese green tea.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNMh0tdwxyQ&feature=player_embedded#!
- The Japanese tea ceremony
Learn from this video clip how the Chawan and most importantly a cup of tea is prepared during a Japanese tea ceremony. The dialogue you will hear during the video is quite authentic.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOCiOOJoWXk&feature=player_embedded#!
II. History of the Japanese Tea Ceremony
III. Types of the Japanese Tea Ceremony
IV. Preparing tea
V. Equipment used during a tea ceremony (temae)
VI. Tea Ceremony Equipment for Guests
VII. Rank of Tea Ceremony Utensils
VIII. Room Preparation for tea ceremony