| Japanese Tea Ceremony The Japanese tea ceremony captures the harmony of four Buddhist principles: 1) Harmony (with nature and people); 2) Respect (for others); 3) Purity (of heart and mind) and Tranquility. It is the heart of Japanese philosophy, and is used for ceremonies, but can also be done just to celebrate friendship. It is for this reason that we decided not to do this alone, but to share it with you. We hope that you will allow us to do this in your place, not only to share the love we have for each other, but the friendship bond we share with you. The ceremony takes place in a special tearoom, with the flowers and wall hangings changed to suit the occasion. Unfortunately, I do not know the names of the flowers used so we will forgo that particular element. The wall hangings would be calligraphy that announced the love of 2, as well as friendship. When you arrive at a Chaji, you are not greeted at the door by the host, but are guided in and seated. You are then given a cup of warm water from a special kettle that is used during the ceremony. This water has been purified (although I don't know how) specifically for the ceremony. After you drink, you are then led through a garden that signifies leaving the every day world and clearing your head through the soft, nurturing sounds and smells of nature. The host then greets you (in this case me, since I do not have an older male to perform this duty for me) who bows to you. After returning the bows, you follow me into the special tearoom. You will all have to stoop, as the door is intentionally small to force humility upon entering the room. You would then kneel on the straw mats around the table, sit back on your heels, and watch as I prepare the charcoal fire for the ceremony. There would be a meal as well, but we are skipping it. The host leaves to get the tray for the ceremony. On this tray is the Chakin, a white ceremonial cloth that is used to wipe the bowl, and symbolizes the spirit of the host. Also on the tray is the kettle of special water this kettle represents the sun (the yin), a bowl that represents the moon (the yang). Across the bowl lie a slender bamboo spoon called a Matcha. This special spoon is used to measure the tea. The tea is also on the tray, encased in a special bowl, as well as special water waste bowl. Using a fukusa (fine silk cloth), which represents the spirit of the host, the host purifies the tea container and scoop. My careful inspection, folding and handling of the fukusa, is significant, for my level of concentration and state of meditation are being intensified. Hot water is ladled into the tea bowl, the whisk is rinsed, and the tea bowl is emptied and wiped with the chakin. Lifting the tea scoop and tea container, I place three scoops of tea per guest into the tea bowl. Hot water is ladled from the kettle into the tea bowl to create a thin paste with the whisk. Additional water is then added to so the paste can be whisked into a thick liquid consistent with pea soup. Unused water in the ladle is returned to the kettle. I pass the tea bowl to my other who bows in accepting it. The bowl is raised and rotate in the hand to be admired. He then drinks some of the tea, wipes the rim of the bowl, and passes the bowl back to me (this is a tad off kilter, as I am both part of this ceremony and the host. Usually, the host drinks last). I would then repeat the process, and pass the bowl to the next person, who then would pass it to the next. Sweet bread is served with little wooden picks brought by the guests. When all have drank, the bowl is passed back to me, who rinses and wipes the bowl with the Chakin again. The scoop and bowl are then offered to the guests for inspection. The fire is then rebuilt for usa cha (thin tea). This tea will rinse the palate and symbolically prepares the guests for leaving the spiritual world of tea and re-entering the physical world. It is served individually, and once finished, the guests leave the tearoom the way they came in. The ancestors have blessed the union of me and my other, and our friendships with yet others. Our relationships will always remain balanced. |