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Best
of Japan |
| Tea
Ceremony |
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 In
700 AD, tea was drunk to promote alertness. Chanoyu, sado, or 'the way
of the tea' dates back to the Nara period and was used by meditating Buddhist
monks. In the 14th Century, it took a turn and became a highly elaborate
and expensive pursuit for the nobility.
Tea ceremony, however,
made a significant impact on society in the 16th Century. It was Sen no
Rokkyu (1522-91) who created a simple, minimalist aesthetic with utensils
that echoed the irregularities of the natural world. Other tea masters
followed suit with various approaches and tea ceremony has since evolved
into three main Senke schools, which are Ura, Omote, and Mushakoji. Other
influential schools include Enshu, Yabunouchi, and Sohen.
To the Japanese,
drinking tea is not merely slurping beverage. It involves a number of
preparation and discipline that are conducted according to a highly stylized
etiquette. In a way, the mental discipline involved in tea ceremonies
is associated with the fundamental training of a samurai warrior.
The traditional setting
of a tea ceremony comprises a thatched teahouse that is located in a landscaped
garden. For a novice, the proceedings and preparations are rather laborious;
but connoisseurs would understand and appreciate tea as an art form, which
would take years of training and reflection.
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