The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan

THE TRADITION OF DRINKING TEA IN JAPAN

Hi guys, welcome back again on my blog. As usual, here I’ll discuss about Japan, especially about family life in Japan. Some times ago, I have told you about “The Manners To Visit Or Stay In A Japanese Family House”, so if you want to stay at Japanese family house, you have to know the manners or procedures if you want to stay there. Today, I’m going to tell you about “The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan”, it is related to the last topic because the tradition of drinking tea in japan is activity that must do if there are guests.

            Tea ceremony (茶道 sadō, chadō) is a Japanese tradition of serving tea to guests. In ancient times it was called chatō (茶 の 湯) or cha no yu. A tea ceremony held outdoors is called nodate. The host is also responsible for preparing pleasant situations for guests such as choosing wall paintings (kakejiku), flowers (chabana), and ceramic bowls that are suitable for the season and the status of invited guests. In general, the tea ceremony uses matcha powder tea made from finely ground green tea. The tea ceremony using matcha is called matchadō, while when using green tea the type of sencha is called senchadō. In daily conversations in Japan, tea ceremony is called ocha (tea). The term ocha no keiko can mean learning to practice etiquette for serving tea or learning etiquette as a guest in a tea ceremony. In this ceremony there is also a sweet cake called Okashi. When doing a tea ceremony, each guest and homeowner must use a kimono and sit down like the Japanese person.

            So, this ceremony reflects the personality and knowledge of the host which includes the purpose of life, ways of thinking, religion, appreciation of tea ceremony equipment and how to put art objects in the tea ceremony room. So do you know what the tradition of drinking tea is in family life. Family in Japan know what and how the tradition of drinking tea is done. They have been taught by their parents what the tradition of drinking tea is. So, the tradition of drinking tea is done to welcome guests who come to their homes, namely Japanese family homes.

            These are the benefits, purpose and the kinds of tea are served in the tradition of drinking tea in Japan:

1.    The Benefit Of The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan

-       Tea served is good for health.

-       The procession of the tea ceremony is the process of learning manners.

-       Exchange of spiritual experiences between the host and the party being treated.

-       The existence of tea cultivation adds to the Japanese business field.

2.    The Purpose Of The Tradition Of Drinking Tea In Japan

Tea ceremony is one way to communicate with humans and the environment. The tea ceremony aims to create relaxed (relaxed) communication between the host and the guest.

3.    The Kinds Of Tea Served In Tea Ceremonies In Japan

a.  Green Tea, or often called Matcha is a powdered green tea that is of very high quality. Green tea has many benefits, so green tea is often used in tea ceremonies.

b.   Gyokuro, this tea grows without receiving direct sunlight, this makes the aroma of this tea very fragrant.

c.    Sencha, this tea is very common. In tea ceremonies in Japan often using this tea can be due to the ease of raw materials. This tea is planted by getting direct sunlight and Kabusecha same like sencha but it is a tea that is protected from the sun's leaves before being harvested.

Sencha Tea

Kabusecha Tea

d.    Genmaicha, a mixture of roasted maicha tea and brown rice.

e.     Bancha, is a sencha harvested in the second season.

f.    Houjicha, is baked green tea.

g.   Kukicha, comes from each top of a tea plant, by picking the parts of flowers and three leaves.

h.    Tamaryokucha, is a tea that has a very sharp aroma.

So, this is the tradition of drinking tea in Japan. This tradition is still do until now, if there is guest come to japanese family house although not always done if there are guests who come because this tradition is done quite formally such as welcoming honored guests, families, or people who first came to the Japanese house.

If you want to know more about family life in Japan, keep reading on my blog.
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