A Taste of Japan: Tea Ceremony

Green tea isn't just an antioxidant that's healthy for your body. At least in Japan, green tea has very important uses that go back centuries ago in China. In 727 A.D., the Chinese court presented the emperor of Japan tea as a gift, which later came from Buddhist monks who started planting tea leaves around Japan. Tea became so popular in Japan that it led to special tea ceremonies. Today, Japanese tea ceremonies or cha-no-yu, which means "hot water for tea", is a symbol of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. There are many types of tea ceremonies, but the most known is the chaji, meaning a full tea presentation with a full, but light meal. There are usually only 4 guests that participate and should know how to use chopsticks, since they are a vital component of the tea ceremony. Preparing for a tea ceremony can take years to learn the precision and art. The tea room is very plain, except for a Buddhist scroll and a small fire. Before the tea ceremony can begin, guests must wait for their tea presenter to let them in by first purifying themself. After each guest greets the host with a bow, they are given rice to eat with each course of the meal, miso soup to eat with raw fish, and pickled vegetables. After this, the first course meal begins with nimono (simmered foods in broth), yakimono (grilled foods), suimono (clear soup that cleanses the palate), and sake (rice wine). The second course begins with hassun (a variety of seafood, vegetables, or meat) to represent the abundance of the sea and mountains, yuto (hot water with brown rice) that is accompanied by konomono (pickles). Finally the third course ends with a sweet dessert and tea. After the guests leave, people meticulously clean the tea room and await the new guests. This might be one of the most complicated ceremonies to participate in, but it will teach people the deep spirituality of Japan.


sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony,
http://www.holymtn.com/tea/Japanesetea.htm