I attend a traditional tea ceremony in Tokyo.
Her hands tell a story of tradition and experience. The sturdy fingers deftly pour the powdered tea into the ornamented bowl, add hot water, then take up a whisk and stir the mixture to frothy perfection. The hands’ deliberate movements are at once brisk and graceful, assured and knowing; they wittily play out a scene centuries’ old. Their owner, a handsome Japanese woman dressed in a kimono, exudes the confidence and authority that come with having done this many times before — her performance informed by both practice and history.
I look on transfixedly, hypnotized by the ceremony of it all.
Because let’s be clear: this ain’t your typical Lipton-teabag-plopped-into-a-mug-of-piping-water kinda deal. Tea is serious business here.
Those familiar with Asian culture will know that tea is essentially an institution. Its long and heralded history in South Asia and the Far East can be felt even in the present day: China is the world’s largest producer of tea, with India coming in at a close second. In Japan, tea drinking is a highly ritualistic cultural activity most evident in the preparation and presentation of matcha, a powdered green tea whose consumption in the country dates back to the 12th century.
With four days in Tokyo and an assortment of experiences on our agenda, my friend and I made an appointment at the Okura, a luxury hotel situated in the heart of downtown Tokyo. For 1,550 Japanese Yen (about $15 USD) per person, we participated in their traditional tea ceremony, conducted in a calm-inducing room on the 7th floor of their sprawling premises.
Sitting cross-legged on tatami mats, we are coached through the 45 minute procedure by our hostess, a picture of elegance in her light green robe and smooth chignon.
The ceremony itself is very elegant, almost dainty: many of the 45 minutes are characterised by quietly observing the preparation of the tea, then reflecting on the tea before and after its consumption. In fact, the whole affair is sweetly languorous, deliciously slow. Our hostess’ weighted movements while making the matcha indicate a lack of urgency; and when we are offered wagashi (a Japanese dessert made from bean paste) while we wait we are instructed to take our time, to savour it. This chilled out atmosphere is a welcome respite from the bustling thoroughfares of hectic Tokyo.
All in all, attending a traditional Japanese tea ceremony is a tea-rrific (bad pun?!) way to gain more insight into what is an undeniably fascinating culture. Be sure to factor a ceremony into your Japan trip!
Are you a big tea drinker? Have you ever been to a tea ceremony?
65 Comments
I never drunk any tea in Japan, but about tea culture in China, oh yea they do consume a lot of tea, and also further, I lived with a hong kong girl in hong kong for over two years, she believed tea could cure everything, maybe cancer as well! For Asians tea is not just a beverage, it’s a tradition!
Agree with you 100%! It seems as though tea is drunk with every meal here in Hong Kong. 🙂
Yep! I’m a huge tea-drinker! I’m British and also a Northerner. Tea is a way of life where I’m from, and the answer to all the world’s problems and thensome!
I’ve been to a tea ceremony in Hong-Kong. I was also exposed to different types of drinks too like bird’s nest juice and lots of hibiscus (I think), tea!
Love the photos Oneika. 🙂
I’ve never been to a tea ceremony in HK, you’re making me think I should add it to my list… 🙂 Glad you like the photos!!
I’m an avid tea drinker and this tea ceremony sounds wonderful. I love the contrast between the ancient, peaceful and unrushed tea ceremony vs the modern, speeding life of Tokyo. 🙂
Tokyo is definitely a study of contrasts. I love the mix of modern and traditional culture.
How lovely, it’s so nice to find a bit of calm in the midst of hectic travel. Tea culture is such a mystery to me! I grew up drinking the occasional mug of celestial seasonings sleepy time or lemon zinger tea, so I find the rituals super fascinating. It’s interesting how tea rituals can be so formal yet so relaxing.
I agree with you!
I love tea. Growing up in Jamaica, everybody drinks tea. Most of our teas are natural leaves that we pick from trees. We add hot water and sweeten with brown sugar. I especially love mint tea and another one we call fever grass. I’m not big on tea bags because I just prefer freshly picked leaves or grass for brewing. Nature’s way is the best.
My family is Jamaican and I have enduring memories of drinking mint tea made from the mint plants my grandma grew in her backyard!
i love japan and its delicious dishes for which it is famous i would ever like to have such sort of beverages all the day
Japan is lovely!
Japanese culture has ALWAYS fascinated me I never have liked tea but alas in my old age I SHOULD be drinking it but the ritual of the tea ceremony is like sacred I feel odd watching it like I am being let in on a “secret” the whole process really is a ZEN experience lol
I’m such a big fan of tea. It was only after a Chinese lady in Hong Kong prepared me a cup according to the rules I really got admiration for it all. It tasted better- or maybe the though of it made it taste better. I’m still not quite sure…
I LOOOVE tea. Growing up in Pakistan, tea plays a huge part our daily lives. My dishwasher is full of nothing but teacups because I eat out a lot and mostly just drink tea at home.
Very cool!! What type of tea do you drink in Pakistan?
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This is great, something I definitely want to do when I visit Tokyo! 😀 Great photos too!
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