2009年6月16日火曜日

Japanese Style Tea Ceremony

What do you imagine when you hear “tea ceremony”? Maybe you will imagine British style tea ceremony. You will imagine flowers, cakes, black teas, antique table and chairs, elegant atmosphere, but Japanese style is quite difference. Then, I’ll introduce about Japanese style tea ceremony.
There are many rules in Japanese style tea ceremony. First, Japanese style tea ceremony is done on the “tatami”. Do you know “tatami”? It’s a mat made from straw. People sit on it directory, so there are no chairs in room where ceremony is done. Second, people must wear Kimono. Kimono is Japanese dress. Third, ceremony is done in a Japanese-style room.

How do Japanese do tea ceremony? A person who makes green tea gives green tea to guests. There is no table in room, so tea cup is put on tatami. If guest is given green tea, turn cup twice and drink it. Some Japanese sweets are given with green tea. Kind of sweets differs with season. Usually Japanese sweets are colorful and look so beautiful.
The biggest difference between British style tea ceremony and Japanese style tea ceremony is that people can talk or cannot talk. In Japanese style tea ceremony, people must be quiet. Japanese thinks tea ceremony for tasting tea’s taste, so should not talk with someone in ceremony.