Tea ceremony is one of the most known Japanese traditions. The one we were allowed to experience was quite plain and I’m sure it skipped some parts since it was only a few minutes long. Still, it was a very interesting experience.

Ladies condutcting tea ceremony

After we all sat down on our chairs, each of us was given a mochi (Japanese rice cake) filled with anko (red bean paste) and wrapped with a leaf (no, it was not a cherry leaf). The mochi, as always, was delicious. There were some controversies whether the leaf was edible, I haven’t eaten mine.

Mochi served during tea ceremony

Then the time came for the “real” tea ceremony. One of the ladies put the cup (it’s more like a bowl to say the truth) in front of me with a deep bow. I had to pick up the cup, put it on left hand and twist twice with right hand. If done correctly it should make the painting on the cup face the person holding it. Then, finally, it’s drinking time! When I asked if I can put the cup back on the table before I’ve drunk it all, the answer was “Well... um... Maybe, rather, better not?” (I am quite impressed that the person I asked this about actually used “no” instead of being creative with “do you really have to?” or “it would be inconvenient”) Translation: in simplified ceremony don’t put the bowl down on the table before your finished. During drinking the cup should rest on left hand and be supported on the side by right. After finishing we simply put the bowl down and thanked for the tea. Since most of us were foreigners we were allowed to skip all the bowing, nodding, thanking, twisting the bowl and admiring it.

Tea bowls were beautifully decorated

There was another part of the ceremony, where we were able to make our own tea. The matcha powder was already placed inside the bowl and we had to mix it with water using a whisk. Of course there was a catch- we could use only one type of movement which was straight line from the far end of the bowl to the one closest to us. No round movements were allowed, so no cheating. Tea is ready when it has foam on surface. Next thing is drinking, of course again with all the rituals described above.

Tea ceremony part two: bowls and whisks

With that the ceremony was done. Next thing to do was to buy souvenirs in a nearby shop.


Tea factory coming soon
Tea picking here