Chanoyu A Brief History and Description of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

Chanoyu lit, “hot water for tea” refers to the tea ceremony Chadō or Sadō lit, “the way of tea” refers to the whole culture of tea, its philosophies and practices Words for Tea

History of Chanoyu Eisai ( ) father of tea” founder of Zen Buddhism in Japan brought powdered tea from China to Japan in 1191 interested in the health benefits of tea, promoting it as “a remedy for all disorders” (Tanaka 29)

History of Chanoyu Shukō ( ) “father of chanoyu ” advocated simplicity in chanoyu Takeno Jōō ( ) further developed teachings of Shukō the most important and respected tea master of his time

History of Chanoyu Sen no Rikyū ( ) student of Takeno Jōō tea master to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the samurai who reunified Japan in 1590 made his tea ceremonies “open to men of all classes without distinction” emphasized humility, simplicity, closeness to nature, harmony, reverence, purity, calm taught wabi cha, or “tea of quiet taste” (Sen 6)

History of Chanoyu Daimyo cha court style of chanoyu, practiced by most tea masters after Rikyū aristocratic elegance, reflecting the wealth and nobility of the lords daimyo cha tea masters: Furuta Oribe, Kobori Enshū, Honami Kōetsu, Katagiri Sekishu, Matsudaira Fumai, Hosokawa Sansai, Kanamori Sōwa, and Yamada Sōhen

History of Chanoyu Sen no Sōtan ( ) grandson of Sen no Rikyū worked to preserve Rikyū’s wabi style of tea his three sons established the three branches of the Senke School of Tea: Mushanokōjisenke, Omotesenke, and Urasenke the two largest schools of tea today are Urasenke and Omotesenke

Practice of Chanoyu Roji: the tea garden Chashitsu: the tea room Chabana: the art of arranging flowers for tea Kakemono: the hanging scroll Temae: the art of making and serving tea

Practice of Chanoyu Kaiseki meal should be artistically displayed food is both served and eaten according to a carefully prescribed ritual

Practice of Chanoyu Kashi (sweet cakes) namagashi (moist cakes) higashi (dry cakes)

tea bowl 1

tea bowl 2

girl serving tea