The Japanese tea ceremony, also known as chadō or sadō (“way of tea”) or cha-no-yu (“hot-water tea”), is a time-honored institution in Japan, rooted in the principles of Zen Buddhism and founded upon the reverence of the beautiful in the daily routine of life. It is an aesthetic way of welcoming guests, in which everything is done according to an established order.

The tea ceremony has its origins in Chinese Buddhist monasteries, where it was used for medicinal purposes and as a stimulant to ward off drowsiness during meditation. By the time of China’s Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-907), tea was widely appreciated there as a social drink. Tea drinking began to be popular among Japan’s court aristocracy and in its Buddhist ceremonies.

The ceremony takes place in a tea house (cha-shitsu), which ideally is a small structure detached from the main house but which is often simply a special room of the house. Great care is taken in the choice of materials for and construction of the cha-shitsu so as to give it a sense of rustic yet refined simplicity.

The tea ceremony consists of the host first bringing the tea utensils into the room, offering the guests special sweets, and then preparing and serving them tea made of pulverized tea leaf stirred in hot water. The serving of sweets and tea may be preceded by a light meal. After the tea is consumed, the guests are free to inquire about the various implements, which are afterward carried from the room and the ceremony concluded.

The tea ceremony has a spiritual element and promotes mindfulness and spiritual connection. It is based on the principles of Zen Buddhism and emphasizes teachings and practices such as harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

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