Japnese tea ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called MatchaSmall video on japnese Tea ceremony , together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea. Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring all one's attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one's heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture. Even the placement of the tea utensils is considered from the guests view point (angle), especially the main guests called the Shokyaku.

Japanese Tea Equipment 

CHAWAN

is the most significant equipment when preparing tea during the Japanese ceremony. The name is used to refer to a traditional bowl that originated from China. In Japan,  Chawan has a long string of historical records more so when it comes to a Japanese tea ceremony

CHASEN

is the second-most important tool that cannot miss out on any Japanese tea ceremony. These are usually whisks made mainly with bamboo sticks to stroke the leaves and hot water rapidly when preparing the green matcha drink

CHASHAKU

is the Japanese name for tea ladle used mainly for scooping tea from either Natsume or Chaire - traditional storage equipment

FURO

Furo is the Japanese word for a portable brazier. This tool is used to heat hot water in a kettle (Japanese, Kama) at the start of tea preparation. 

TEA TRAYS

Tea trays play significant roles in carrying cups and other accessories during the Japanese tea ceremonies. Here, trays are categorised according to their shapes and materiality. Some of the most common forms of trays in the land include:

• Hekkebon

This tea tray is round in shape and features a lacquered surface. It is mainly used to carry  Chawan and tea containers.

• Yamamichibon

This tray is also round shaped but with a very wavy lip. It is used only on special occasions to hold tea bowls and containers. 

• Yoho-bon

Yoho-bon is a square tray used mainly to serve dry sweets during the Japanese tea ceremony