Scroll Tea
Posted in Japan on 11/13/2009 03:47 am by kaibyaku
Tea ceremonies are ritual ways of preparing and drinking tea, and the custom itself is one which has been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. Today, tea ceremonies are quite popular, and there are actually several different tea ceremony traditions that take place around the world. Still, one of the most well-known and respected is the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
The ceremony itself takes place in a room that is designed and designated for tea, and it is better known as the chashitsu. This room is typically located within the tea house, away from the residence, in the garden area. In terms of guests, the preferred number is four, although this may vary depending on the particular tea ceremony.
One of the guests is chosen to be the main guest, and they are then led, with the main guest in front, to a water sprinkled garden that is devoid of any flowers. Here the guests rid themselves of the dust of the world, and then seat themselves on the waiting bench, or koshikake machiai, awaiting the approach of the host who has the official title of being the house master.
Once inside the tea house, each guest is served a meal known as chakaiseki, which is served on a tray with fresh cedar chopsticks. There are three different courses, and once these have been consumed and the guests are finished, the host removes the scroll and replaces it with flowers. This Japanese Tea ceremony is definitely one of complexity and detail, and one that has been revered since ancient times.
Chinese Tea Ceremony
This is another well known and incredibly respected ceremony, as the art of drinking and serving tea plays a major cultural role in China. The Chinese Tea ceremony is one which emphasizes the tea rather than the ceremony itself, and each step in the ceremony is meant to be a sensory exploration and appreciation.
The teas that are typically used in this ceremony are particularly refined, such as oolong and red teas, and the style of tea drinking uses small cups to match the small, unglazed clay teapots that are used. These tiny cups are particularly popular in Fujian and Chiujao, in southern coastal China above Canton.
All tea ceremonies are significant and respected, and each represents a different culture, a different part of the world. Each is just as important as the next, even though the traditions carried out within are very different from each other.
Chris Jonas is a chef working in Soho, New York. Check out these great Cooking articles and resources or more specific Tea guides and resources.
 |
 5196 Japanese Tea Ceremony Scroll RYUHO  US $29.00
|
 LOT OF 5 BONE CHINA TEACUPS SAUCERS ENGLISH TEA CUP US $29.75
|
 LOT OF 4 DEPARTMENT 56 CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY BUILDINGS US $32.01
|
 ARTS CRAFTS STERLING SILVER PINEAPPLE TEA CADDY US $335.00
|
 VINTAGE LUNT WILLIAM MARY LARGE STERLING SILVER TRAY US $1,850.00
|
 AMERICA TEA TROUBLES Revolutionary War 1773 Newspaper US $54.99
|
 c 1799 Chinese Travel Size Export Lacquer Tea Caddy yqz US $80.99
|
 1940s CRINOLINE LADY TEASET 40 PIECES LAVENDER LADY US $97.37
|
 160 DRIED HERBS LOT 3 FULL LBS for Wiccan Witch Spells US $39.99
|
 SIMAC IL GELATAIO 1600 THE ICE CREAM MAN YOGURT DRINKS US $239.99
|
 Vintage Green Transferware English VIRGINIA Tureen EXC US $49.95
|
 19C Blue Transfer HP ZAMARA English Romantic Plate VG US $42.95
|
 MOROCCAN POUFS OTTAMAN LEATHER HAND CRAFTED FOOTSTOOLS US $49.99
|
 SCARCE Glasgow Silver TEA Set 1856 Wm Clarke 45oz US $1,004.00
|
 1930 ONEIDA COMMUNITY NOBLESSE SILVERPLATE FLATWARE SET US $42.01
|
 Camusso Sterling Silver George III Form Tea Set 55oz US $1,000.00
|
 VINTAGE CHOCOLATE POT TEA SET FLORAL PAINTED GERMAN US $66.15
|
 Singer Sewing Machine Centennial 15 Industrial Strength US $111.50
|
 Gaggia Platinum Swing Espresso Machine FREE SH US $848.48
|
 RARE Booths Ming Blue w Color Pair Tea Cup Saucer yqz US $29.00
|
 5pc GORHAM FLORENZ FLORENTINE STERLING SILVER TEA SET US $3,800.00
|
 15pc EARLY FRENCH GERMAN GILT PORCELAIN TEA SET c1810 US $400.00
|
 160 DRIED HERBS LOT 3 lbs for Wiccan Pagan Witch Spells US $39.99
|
 CW Era Head Cover Imported Embroidered French Ribbon US $32.50
|
 3 ANTIQUE KPM GILDED PORCELAIN CHERUB TEA CUPS SAUCER US $202.50
|
 DAIRI MOROCCAN COTTON WHITE GYPSY BOHO PANTS NWT US $44.99
|
 VINTAGE TEACUP SAUCER ROYAL VIENNA COBALT GOLD DEMI US $24.95
|
 SISTERLY LOVE FITS TINKA GRETCHEN 22 HIMSTEDT DOLL US $35.00
|
 J916 Japanese tea thing scroll 2 KANJI SEIJAKU US $24.99
|
 J918 Japanese tea thing scroll 5 KANJI By Famous monk US $24.99
|
 J920 Japanese hanging scroll Great kingfisher SILK US $24.99
|
 Japanese tea bowl ceremony shino shigaraki jay strommen US $108.88
|
 PARAGON TEA CUP AND SAUCER GOLD GILT TEACUP PAINTED SET US $24.95
|
 Muppets Ceramic Tea Set Miss Piggy Kermit Sigma Nice US $74.95
|
 Antique Signed ROSES GOLD SCROLL TV Limoges Lrg Tray US $64.99
|
 Early 20thC Limoges Porcelain Floral Gilded Teapot US $29.96
|
 VINTAGE Silver SALVER Sheff 2000 C J Vander 50oz US $797.20
|
 QUALITY ELKINGTON CO Silver COFFEE POT 1874 Victorian US $404.60
|
 23 Pcs International Colonial Scroll Stainless Flatware US $24.98
|
 Wallace Sterling Silver Rose Point Coffee Pot 28oz US $280.00
|
 Vera Wang Imperial Scroll Rim Soup Plate US $54.00
|
 Royal Doulton 11 Piece Rosalee Floral Coffee Set US $59.93
|
 QUAILTY GOLDSMITHS Silver COFFEE POT Sheff 1902 26oz US $476.18
|
 QUAILTY GOLDSMITHS Silver TEA POT Sheff 1902 24oz US $232.27
|
 4 piece American Sterling Silver Tea Set US $1,100.00
|
 Dominick Haff Sterling Silver Islamic Coffee Pot US $159.38
|
 Vintage EPNS Silverplate Teapot w Monogram Date 1903 US $24.99
|