Abstract

The tradition I will focus on is the Japan tea ceremony, a cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of powdered green tea, called matcha. A host invites guests to participate in a tea ceremony, usually held in a traditional tearoom. These ceremonies, which involve specialized equipment and rehearsed gestures, are a way to demonstrate cultural refinement beyond the usual hospitality.

 

Tea ceremonies can be formal tea events or informal tea gatherings, with the formal ceremony being a multi-hour event that begins with a meal and dessert, followed by a bowl of thick tea and a round of thin tea. The bowl of thick tea, which is shared by the guests, is made from the best quality tea leaves, and must be kneaded with a whisk to blend the large amount of powdered tea with the water. Each guest is served a bowl of thin tea, which requires far less tea and can be prepared by whisking with hot water.

 

Most tea gatherings today are informal, abbreviated versions of the full ceremony, consisting mainly of the thin tea and some light desserts.