The Japanese tea ceremony, also called 'chanoyu,' 'sado,' or 'ocha', is the choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea with sweets to balance the tea (まちゃ). The objective is to create a relaxed communication between the host and the guests. The ultimate attainment is deep spiritual satisfaction through the drinking of tea and through silent contemplation. Chanoyu is also about aesthetics and preparing tea from the heart.
''Chanoyu'' means 'hot water for tea'
"Sado" or "chado" means 'the way of tea'
Tea Philosophy:
Wa - harmony, used in placing utensils and selecting colors for the room
Kei - respect, guests respect the environment while the host considers guests with every movement and gesture
Sei - purity, leaving all thoughts and worries behind, revitalizing and slowing down from your normal life
Jaku - tranquility, the achievement of the combination of 'wa,' 'kei,' and 'sei.'
Wabi - appreciating the beauty of things that are simple and natural
Kokoroire - pouring ones heart into devotion of the tea ceremony
There are various kinds of ceremonies according to the time of day, the occasion of the tea ceremony, or the season in which they are held.
Hatsugama - held in January, the only time in which the teacher will prepare tea for his/her students. The teacher also gives guidance to the students.
Akatsuki-no-chaji - held in the early morning of winter to enjoy the waking of dawn
Yuuzari-no-chaji - early evening tea ceremony held in the warmer months to experience going from daylight to candlelight.
Asa-cha - held in the cool morning of the hot summer
Shougo-no-chaji - midday tea ceremony
Kuchikiri-no-chaji - tea ceremony celebrating the breaking of the seal on a jar of new tea. Tea leaves which are harvested in spring are stored in a jar which is then stored in a cold place. Around November, the new season of tea begins to celebrate the seal of the jar with new tea plucked in spring is broken and the new fresh tea is used for the first time.
Nagori-no-chaji - tea ceremony honoring the glassed remains of the year supply of tea and to see out the warm months before winter sets in.
Yobanashi - winter evening tea ceremony to enjoy at night in a dark room with candle light.
-Heidi Pohl
''Chanoyu'' means 'hot water for tea'
"Sado" or "chado" means 'the way of tea'
Tea Philosophy:
Wa - harmony, used in placing utensils and selecting colors for the room
Kei - respect, guests respect the environment while the host considers guests with every movement and gesture
Sei - purity, leaving all thoughts and worries behind, revitalizing and slowing down from your normal life
Jaku - tranquility, the achievement of the combination of 'wa,' 'kei,' and 'sei.'
Wabi - appreciating the beauty of things that are simple and natural
Kokoroire - pouring ones heart into devotion of the tea ceremony
There are various kinds of ceremonies according to the time of day, the occasion of the tea ceremony, or the season in which they are held.
Hatsugama - held in January, the only time in which the teacher will prepare tea for his/her students. The teacher also gives guidance to the students.
Akatsuki-no-chaji - held in the early morning of winter to enjoy the waking of dawn
Yuuzari-no-chaji - early evening tea ceremony held in the warmer months to experience going from daylight to candlelight.
Asa-cha - held in the cool morning of the hot summer
Shougo-no-chaji - midday tea ceremony
Kuchikiri-no-chaji - tea ceremony celebrating the breaking of the seal on a jar of new tea. Tea leaves which are harvested in spring are stored in a jar which is then stored in a cold place. Around November, the new season of tea begins to celebrate the seal of the jar with new tea plucked in spring is broken and the new fresh tea is used for the first time.
Nagori-no-chaji - tea ceremony honoring the glassed remains of the year supply of tea and to see out the warm months before winter sets in.
Yobanashi - winter evening tea ceremony to enjoy at night in a dark room with candle light.
-Heidi Pohl