Chanoyu, or the Art of the Japanese Tea ceremony, is something I had to create a separate post about. It was a very special part of my Kyoto solo trip, a spontaneous escape -turned into one of my most fulfilling experiences yet.

The art of the tea ceremony in Japan is truly fascinating, as it embodies the essence of the Japanese culture. The class took place at Wak Japan, a beautifully preserved traditional townhouse, now used for cultural lessons located in the heart of Kyoto. Highly recommended to everyone interested in diving deeper into this country’s fantastic traditions.

Upon arrival, Yukiko-san greeted me with a bow, then showed me where to leave my shoes. She led me to join two other participants, a mother and daughter from France, who were also taking the class that day. Together, we would learn to make matcha tea, while also immersing ourselves in the etiquette of the tea ceremony. The way it is served, the phrases to use, the philosophy behind it, how to drink it properly.

We followed Yukiko-san up a narrow wooden staircase to the first floor of the building. At the top, a small hallway led us to a room with an open paper door. She gestured for us to step through and take a seat on the bench inside. Traditionally, guests would sit directly on the tatami mat floor, but it seemed allowances had been made for the less agile Western participants.

The room was simple and serene, a reflection of traditional Japanese aesthetics. The walls were bare except for a poster featuring elegant Japanese calligraphy. A box of incense and a small pot with a plant completed the space. Minimalistic, understated and functional, it embodied the essence of Japanese design. As we learned, however, tea ceremonies are not confined to indoor spaces—they can also take place outdoors.

In traditional tea ceremonies, when guests enter the tea room, they have to remove their shoes and put on white socks. The white socks were not obligatory for us as tourists for obvious practical reasons, but is was mentioned in the class as important as they symbolise a clean and sacred spirit. Walking slowly, with sliding steps on the tatami mats, is essential to maintain the tranquility of the setting. Each movement reflects care, respect, and grace. Guests also normally carry a small fan, an item used as part of the formal gestures during the ceremony. Bowing is deeply significant, symbolising mutual respect between the host and the guests.

The Introduction of Tea to Japan

Tea was introduced to Japan from China by Buddhist monks, initially as a medicinal drink for the aristocracy and monks themselves. Over time, its use expanded beyond religious and elite circles, eventually becoming a staple among samurai warriors.

The practice of Chanoyu was formalized in the 16th century by Sen no Rikyu, whose profound influence shaped it into the artistic and cultural tradition we know today. Since its establishment, this unique practice has thrived and remained an integral part of Japanese culture, celebrated for its beauty, mindfulness, and attention to detail. It reflects centuries of history, embodying both the spiritual and aesthetic values of Japan.

“Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku”

和敬清寂 (わけいせいじゃく) 

Yukiko-san entered the room, and after a brief conversation of us introducing ourselves to each other, the lesson begun with the following words:

Harmony (Wa), Respect (Kei), Purity (Sei), Tranquility (Jaku). These are the four principles of a Japanese Tea ceremony which is called Chanoyu (茶の湯) or Chadō/Sadō (literally meaning “the way of the tea”). Interestingly, anything ending with -dō reflects a ceremonial discipline—like Ju-dō or Karate-dō. At the heart of the tea ceremony lies the practice of observing the host (temae). Guests are expected to silently observe the host’s deliberate, choreograph-like movements throughout the tea-making process and then appreciate the procedure and thank the host for the tea.

In a tea ceremony, as in many aspects of traditional Japanese life, everything is deliberate, and waste-free—a detail I came to appreciate more deeply as the experience unfolded. Yukiko-san’s soft voice, and elegant kimono with its intricately tied obi, completed a mesmerising image that, for our Western eyes, seemed straight out of a movie.

Matcha (抹茶) – powdered green tea.

The Matcha tea is made out of very young tea leaves. It full of Vitamin E, minerals and caffeine, and as Yukiko-san said, the previous host before her used to drink one cup every morning and is still alive and kicking at 103 years old!

The vibrant green color of powdered matcha tea is not artificial; it comes from the natural hue of fresh tea leaves. To produce the finest quality matcha, the newest tea leaves are carefully cultivated under specific conditions:

As the tea leaves begin to sprout, they are shielded from direct sunlight. This process ensures the leaves remain thin, soft, and rich in nutrients, while also enhancing their deep, distinctive flavor.

Once harvested, the leaves are meticulously ground into a fine powder using a traditional millstone. This delicate process preserves the tea’s flavor, texture, and color, resulting in the final product, known as matcha.

Preparation of the tea

The intricate preparation process reflects the attention to detail and dedication inherent in Japanese tea culture, ensuring matcha’s unique taste and quality.

In the tea ceremony every utensil has a specific placement. Here are the tools necessary to prepare the matcha tea:

Tea ceremony Tools

1. Chawan (茶碗) – Tea bowl
2. Natsume (棗) – Tea container
3. Chashaku (茶杓) – Tea scoop
4. Chasen (茶筅) – Tea whisk
5. Hishaku/Futaoki (柄杓/蓋置) – Ladle and lid rest
6. Fukusa (帛紗) – Silk cloth for purifying tools
7. Mizusashi (水差) – Fresh-water container
8. Furo/Kama (風炉/釜) – Brazier and kettle

How to make tea

1. Using the Chashaku (tea scoop), place 1.5 grams of powdered matcha into the Chawan (tea bowl).
2. Add about 50cc of hot water with the ladle.
3. Hold the bowl with your left hand and whisk with your right in fast zig zag motions, creating a frothy tea.
4. Serve with care and intention, embodying the principle of Ichigo Ichie—cherishing each moment as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Watch Yukiko as she prepares the tea:

Even the subtlest sounds, like the gentle, rhythmic whisking of the tea, contributed the tranquil essence of the ceremony. True to its name, the tea ceremony is an art of deliberate movement, with tea being served one cup at a time, each step carried out with care and intention.

The matcha tea bowls (Chawan) are slightly larger than those used for leaf tea, and they are designed without handles. This design follows the belief that if the bowl is too hot to hold, the tea is too hot to drink.

When the host serves the tea, both host and guest bow to each other, a gesture of mutual appreciation, gratitude, and equality. In the tea ceremony, there are no ranks—everyone is considered equal. The formality of the bow can vary, from touching the tatami with the fingertips to placing the full palm on the mat, depending on the occasion’s level of formality.

When the tea is ready, the host places the tea bowl on the tatami mat, with the flower pattern facing the guest.

The Manners of the Guests – The Ritual of Drinking Tea

Drinking tea during the ceremony follows a precise and respectful process. Guests drink one at a time, taking turns, and an exchange of phrases enhances the harmony of the experience.

The first step is for the host to give something sweet to the guests to eat first. That way they will balance the bitter, earthy taste of the matcha tea that is always served without any sweetener.

Then the host, will proceed in making the tea.

The ritual among the guests and the host.

When the host places the tea bowl on the floor, the guest carefully picks it up, holding it with one hand underneath for support and the other on the side. As a sign of appreciation and modesty, the guest avoids drinking from the front of the tea bowl, where the decoration is usually displayed. To do this, they subtly turn the bowl twice clockwise, until the back side of the bowl faces them, before taking a sip.

The tea is consumed one guest at a time, and each action is accompanied by a specific phrase, creating a ritual exchange of gratitude. These phrases are exchanged between the host and the guests, as well as among the guests themselves. It goes something like this:

Guest before drinking: “Otemae chōdai itashimasu” (“Thank you for the tea”). Guest to fellow guest: “Excuse me for going before you.” The next guest responds, “Please go ahead.” Then the guest enjoys the tea. Finally, sipping the last drop the guest needs to make a “slurp” sound, which is an essential gesture, an acknowledgment of the care and effort poured into the tea-making process.

After drinking the tea, the guest must wipe the bowl with two fingers and then, with the same movements, turn the bowl twice, so that the decoration faces them again. Then leave it on the floor where the host left it.

When all the guests have finished, the host begins again a carefully choreographed process of cleaning and gathering the utensils. This final act mirrors the same grace as the tea-making itself, with each movement being as elegant. Even the seemingly simple act of leaving the room is like a performance. As Yukiko-san explained, opening the sliding paper doors follows a precise, three-step method: the host uses one hand at a time, pushing the door first from the handle, then from the lower edge, and finally from the upper side, ensuring it opens smoothly and gracefully.

By the end of the ceremony, something remarkable had happened. Without realizing it, we had all slowed down—our movements, our thoughts, even our voices. As I stood outside the building with the French ladies, saying our goodbyes, I felt an unusual calmness. This was my last day in Kyoto; the next morning, I would board the Shinkansen back to Tokyo for a new adventure. I was so glad I had chosen to experience this, even on my final day.

Of course, there are countless details and layers to the tea ceremony that my simple explanation can’t capture. I’m certain we were given a simplified version, as it would be impossible to cover the depth of this tradition in just one hour. When I returned home and began reading more about the tea ceremony, I discovered even more nuances and variations of this beautiful practice. But, to tell the truth, no amount of reading can compare to witnessing the host’s movements, feeling the slow pace, tasting the tea, and experiencing it all inside a traditional Japanese house in the heart of Kyoto. That’s what made Wak Japan truly unique.

This lesson wasn’t just about making tea; it was a glimpse into a way of life. For the Japanese, the principles of the tea ceremony are deeply ingrained in their culture. After this experience, I began to notice these values reflected in their everyday lives. This realization is what made the tea ceremony so much more than a class. It was an exploration of the philosophy behind this centuries-old tradition, a philosophy that continues to resonate far beyond the tea room.

Please enjoy Yukiko-san as she explains “Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku” and “Ichi go – Ichi e” in her own unique way: