History of Tea Ceremony
Sa-do, or the way of tea, has been practiced in Japan for more than 500 years. It was first popularized by the samurai and upper classes, where students would spend years learning the intricacies of preparing the perfect cup of matcha. After Sen no Rikyu formalized what we now know as sa-do, the practice split into 3 different schools of tea: Omotensenke, Urasenke, and Mushakojisenke. Each practice differs slightly in the way the tools are laid out and the tea is prepared.
Modern Day Tea Ceremony
Making matcha is harder than it looks! I took a tea ceremony class once a month for a year, and remembering exactly where each utensil went, and how to handle each one while making tea, was so difficult. Once you master the basics (or for me, watch a tea master at work), the practice becomes somewhat meditative. Even the room, with seasonal decorations and scrolls, is carefully laid out to relax the guests.
In modern-day tea ceremonies, guests are usually served in traditional tea houses either with tatami flooring or in a room with a western-style table and chairs. The instructor will go through the traditional series of movements and make a bowl of matcha for each guest. At many tea ceremonies, guests then have the opportunity to try whisking their own bowl of matcha.
Before drinking your matcha, you will eat wagashi, or traditional sweets. These desserts are usually seasonal, and you eat them before drinking matcha to have a sweet taste in your mouth before trying the unsweetened tea.
Taking Part in Tea Ceremony in Japan
There are many tea houses in Japan that offer tea ceremonies to visitors, either as a group or a private experience, and in chairs or while kneeling on a tatami floor. The most popular place for a tea ceremony is Kyoto, but there are lovely tea ceremonies in Tokyo, and in Kanazawa and other cities. Additionally, many temples and Japanese gardens have a traditional tea room where you can enjoy a bowl of matcha, but these are generally not a full tea ceremony.
Tea Ceremony in Tokyo
Jugetsudo in Ginza offers a tea ceremony in a semi-private space in their cafe, with western-style chairs.
Happo-en, a huge Japanese garden close to Shinagawa, offers tea ceremonies either seated on chairs or in a tatami room in their traditional tea house in the garden.
Tea Ceremony in Kyoto
Ju-an tea house in Jotoku-ji Temple offers group and private tea ceremonies in their tatami floored room.
The Women’s Association of Kyoto offers classes in a variety of traditional arts, including tea ceremony. They offer a few different venues and options for their tea ceremonies.
Looking for more tea ceremony options? Let us help you plan your trip to Japan!