What comes to your mind when you think of tea—an afternoon tea with silver trays of scones, sandwiches and biscuits in England? Pungent mint teas poured into colorful glass cups in the Middle East? Tea is in fact one of the most loved drinks in the world. In some countries, tea is more than a drink. It’s a formal event! Japanese, Korean and Chinese cultures developed a special way of drinking tea – its called the Tea Ceremony. With the assistance of the Tea Ceremony Association of Washington DC and World Bank Japan Club, WBFN held an experimental Japanese tea ceremony at the Annual Exhibition from March 16-18 this year. Here’s the story...
Brief History 
The tea plant is said to have originated in Southern Asia. At firstit was used for medicinal purposes in China, but by the Tan dynasty period (1141-1215) people gradually started drinking it for its flavor. Tea was first brought to Japan in powdered form by Eisai (1141-1215), a Zen monk who studied Rinzai Zen in China and introduced it to Japan. Since then, tea became widely used in temples and the court. A complex procedure of making tea developed through a sophisticated interaction of meditational and ritualistic practices of Zen temples and the social teas of aristocracy. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in Japan, a new class of wealthy merchants and a warrior class emerged, and tea began to serve political purposes. Grand masters of tea were born - Shuko Murata, Joo Takeno, and Rikyu Sen. through Rikyu’s association with the two great political figures Nobunaga Oda and Hideyoshi Toyotomi, he was often in the very center of the political struggles of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1614). Various lines of tea schools that existed during the Tokugawa era (Edo period; 1615-1868) emphasized and characterized the rigid class structure of the society of that era. Further popularization of tea occurred during this period. With the collapse of the feudal system, brought about by the Meiji Restoration in 1868, tea schools attempted to survive by acquiring sponsorships from business communities. Today, tea ceremony is mostly learned by women in Japan, but at the same time becoming more and more international with many school branches opening overseas.
“I had often heard about a “Japanese Tea Ceremony” but last week was the first time I had the opportunity to observe and then participate in one. The tea was a surprise: I did not expect the vivid green color or the slightly bitter taste. But I loved the care with which the ceremony was unfolding, the air of reverence of the person preparing the tea, the elegance of her movements and of course the sumptuous kimono she was wearing. Taking the bowl in both my hands and thanking her, then turning the bowl twice before taking a sip made me feel privileged to have been part of such a beautiful ceremony” (Rula Ghani, WBFN President)
What a wonderful kimono and tea ceremony show you presented. The display was well thought out and represented our culture with so much love. I could see on the beaming faces of the people who looked on that you were making a major cultural impact. I had a wonderful time re-acquainting myself with tea ceremony skills long, long forgotten and unused. You made me proud. (Mari Parker - WBFN member)
“It was a privilege for me to be asked to participate in the Japanese Tea Ceremony you offered at the recent WBFN exposition. I was moved by the care and grace that went into every aspect of the ceremony. Your concentration and precision made me feel welcomed and respected; it also communicated warmth, and, upon reflection, reminded me of the value and support offered by having ritual in daily life.” (Frank Sterrett – WBFN Business English instructor)
“I tremendously enjoyed the tea ceremony, it felt like such an honor! It was great to see with how much care and thoughtfulness you executed this old tradition, very very special. Thank you for that.” (Maaike Le Grand, Welcoming Chair)
What is a Tea Ceremony?
Rikyu Sen, the 16th-century tea master who perfected the Tea Ceremony, was once asked to explain what the essence of the Ceremony was. He replied that it was a matter of observing seven rules: Make a satisfying bowlof tea; Lay the charcoal so that the water boils efficiently; Provide a sense of warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer; Arrange the flowers as though they were in the field; Be ready ahead of time; Be prepared in case it should rain; Act with utmost consideration toward your guests. According to Rikyu, those were simple matters that anyone could handle, but in order to do them well, one must be a disciple of Tea Ceremony. It is a way of life, or an attitude to engage in the simplest tasks of everyday life with utmost care, with the aim of perfecting them. Tea Ceremony might also reflect principles underlying the Art of Living, which consists of four major principles; Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquility (Wakeiseijaku). These are universal principles which could lead us to peace and prosperity, especially in a current global climate of conflict and suffering.
Formal tea ceremony comprises a simple meal (kaiseki) followed by thick tea and then thin tea served with sweets. Many people, however, enjoy casual tea ceremony with thin tea and sweets for family and seasonal events. Reflecting Rikyu’s spirit, the host of Tea Ceremony goes through an extensive effort to create an occasion where guests can capture the ‘flavor’ of the moment which reflects the season or occasion, in addition to the four major principles, Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquility. Although the procedures of the ceremony themselves are formalized, what the ceremony means depends on the individual attendants and the host. The experience of tea ceremony could be fun, social, enjoyable, relaxing or meditational. It is different for everyone. According to Sen Genshitsu, fifteenth generation Head Tea Master of the Urasenke School of Tea, “Strange to say, this tranquility [of sitting alone] will deepen even further when another person enters the microcosm of the tearoom and joins the host....That we can find a lasting tranquility within our own selves in the company of others is the paradox.” Every single tea ceremony is a special occasion, and it could transcend to be a mystical experience.
Tea Ceremony is for everyone
Anyone who has experienced a “proper” tea ceremony will never forget it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It reflects many important philosophical principles which are universal in nature. It has implications for every culture, and that’s why it is loved by people in so many different countries. For lovers of Japanese culture, it is also a representation of beautiful Japan, and a way to learn and deepen knowledge of the country. It is accessible for anyone who is willing to practice the Way of Tea. Urasenke School has a branch in Washington DC and the Tea Ceremony Association of DC (Tankokai) holds regular tea ceremony events throughout the year. For details, please see:
Yukako Wada