Tea ceremony

With culture class we were given the opportunity to visit a tea ceremony, or rather to participate in once. Doing a tea ceremony is considered a classy thing and it is still common to do it once in a while. The tea ceremony is one of the classic elements of Japanese culture and dates back to the 15/16th century.

When we entered the small pavillon where the ceremony was held, first the girls and then the boys were dressed in yukatas (light kimono). Then we were asked to kneel on one side of the tatami room, to oour right a small alcove with a painting on rice paper and the tea kettle.

We were then given a small sweet each, everybody took one and had to pass it on to the next person saying specific words and making specific gestures. The tea ceremony master was preparing the tea then, putting matcha (green tea power) in the tea bowl, pouring boiling water into it and then treating the matcha with a bamboo brush, stirring the powder until it was frothing slightly. Then the cup was given to the first guest. Taking it you had to turn it in your hands several times before taking a sip.

After the first round of tea we could prepare our own cup of tea using the bamboo brush. Unfortunately by then we were in such pain from the extended kneeling that we could hardly concentrate on the task and had only one wish: To get up immediately. I think the kneeling must be practised on a regular basis, otherwise it's just torture. (For anyone doubting that - please try to kneel for even 10 minutes at home...).