Crash Course on Japanese Tea ceremony

Tea Ceremony has a history that dates back to more than a thousand years. The Japanese tea ceremony is one of the most recognized and iconic rituals in the country. Tourists and visitors often get both intrigued and surprised that there are steps to be followed when experiencing this ritual. However, it is an experience that is rather fun and enjoyable. To know more about the tea ceremony, read below interesting information and see how one can sign up for the course.

 

Tea Ceremony Timeline

Japanese tea culture
In the 9th Century, tea culture traveled from China to Japan. The customs of serving tea did not become popular until the 13th century. By the late 15th and 16th centuries, the tea culture was ceremonially-prepared by a fully-skilled tea master and served to guests in a restful and tranquil setting. This way of preparing and serving tea has become known as “Chanoyu”, literally “hot water for tea”.

 

Tea Ceremony Tools

Japanese Tea Ceremony Set Tools Utensils
In order to prepare for the tea ceremony, it is best that the student must know the background for the tools used. There are essential items needed in a tea ceremony that are used by a tea master. Also referred to as Chadougu, the ceremonial tools are what embodies the philosophy of zen. Tools usually reflect the master of the tea ceremony. This helps students observe and understand why a tea master prepares the best ceremonial tools.
  • Cleaning Cloth for Chawan (Cha Kin). Cha Kin is another cleaning cloth that is only used for wiping the tea bowl.
  • Tea Whisk (Cha Sen). Cha Sen is the Japanese name or term for the tea whisk of the tea ceremony master.
  • Tea Ladle (Chashaku). Cha Shaku or tea ladle is used to scoop powdered tea or matcha.
  • Tea Bowl (Chawan). The tea bowl is used for the tea preparation. It is also used for drinking the prepared tea. The bowl must be suitable for the tea ceremony and is based on certain factors. One of these factors are the seasons of Japan, where learners might see a thick chawan in the winter or a shallow one in the summer.
  • Cleaning Silk Cloth (Fukusa). The purpose of the tea cloth is to clean the tools used in the tea ceremony. These usually appear in solid color.
  • Tea Pot (Kama). The usual Japanese teapot used in a tea ceremony is made of iron. Its purpose is to heat the water to use in the ceremony.
  • Tea Caddy (Natsume). The tea caddy is used for keeping the tea fresh and storing the tea after preparation.

Tea Ceremony Relevance

Online Tea Ceremony Virtual Tea Class Online Tea Ceremony and the Virtual Tea Class by Maikoya

Nowadays, the Japanese tea ceremony is also called “Chanoyu”, “Sado” or simply “Ocha” in the Japanese language. The tea ceremony is also likened to the choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called “Matcha”, along with traditional Japanese sweets called “Wagashi” to balance with the bitter taste of the tea.
Also, thanks to the global connection made by the internet, anyone can learn about the Japanese tea ceremony in their homes. It is a must-try experience for tourists or, given the situation of this pandemic, a must-try for students and fans of Japanese culture.

 

This Course is Recommended For

People interested in Japanese culture, traditional tea practices, and tea fanatics. The course is also perfect for those who want a  more intimate one-on-one experience.

 

Features

The tea house, tea making, and tea instructor are all as authentic as they come. Students get to learn from teachers right from the tea room of Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony.  The online tea ceremony at Maikoya is a fantastic experience no pandemic should prevent.

 

Celebrate with Tea Ceremony

For birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations of all kinds, enjoy private and privileged moments one will never forget. Learners can treat any friend or loved one to this as a game-changing gift.


 

What to Prepare

Tea Ceremony Tools Tea Ceremony Tools
  • A tea bowl or a regular bowl having 8-20 cm in diameter (any medium-sized bowl is OK)
  • Hot water in a thermos flask or container
  • Matcha powder or any tea bag - including regular black teabags
  • Anything sweet (e.g. a small dessert, cookie) on a small plate
  • A handkerchief

 

Notes on Reserving Tea Ceremony Online


Online tea ceremony Online tea ceremony by MAIKOYA

  • Reservable time slots are Japanese Standard Time (use thetimezoneconverter.com to work out the best time for your location).
  • Please join the meeting using a device with a video camera and microphone (iPhone, MacBook, Airbook, webcam, etc.).
  • The teacher has to prepare for the meeting by wearing a kimono and setting up the tea ceremony room, which takes hours. She also has to arrange her schedule in advance. Please acknowledge that a cancellation fee applies if a student is unable to participate in the meeting.

Why Maikoya

  • Maikoya is one of the pioneering institutions in Japan to provide online cultural experiences that have attracted media coverage
  • Maikoya is the largest experience provider of its kind in Japan, with branches in three major cities and catering to over 100,000 guests
  • Maikoya is the ONLY three-time consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winner in its category in Japan
  • Maikoya is the only traditional tea ceremony venue in Japan to have earned over 2500 five-star reviews on Google and other platforms

 


Even more Online experiences

Ikebana flower experience
Ikebana flower experience Ikebana means making flowers alive or giving flowers life. It is the Japanese way of flower arrangement also known as kado. During the Heian period, the priests who took care of altar arrangements were called ikenobo and they are the first known masters who developed the best way of arranging flowers.
Geisha Online Kyoto Maikoya
Geisha Online – PRIVATE Meeting with a Geisha from Kyoto it was impossible to meet a geisha for first-timers because in Kyoto there is a rule called “ichigensan okotowari” which means personal reference is necessary for a geisha meeting. But, now, for the first time ever, you can meet a real geisha from Kyoto’s geisha district online.
Fushimi Inari Tour Online
Visit Fushimi Inari LIVE For the first time ever, you can visit this historic site live led by an experienced tour guide live. Since this is not a video but a live-streamed walking tour held privately you can ask questions and interact with the tour guide.
Cherry Blossom at Sanjusangendo Temple
Virtual Kyoto Tour with a Local Tour Guide You can now travel to Kyoto and visit its unique world heritage sites from your living room. A local tour guide will explain the history and culture of Kyoto and take you to off the beaten track spots of Kyoto.
Online Japanese Culture Experience
Online Kimono Experience by Kyoto Maikoya Traditionally, Japanese people wear a one-piece garment called kimono which emerged during the Heian period (794-1185). Kimono is made out of silk and each motif has a meaning. Cranes represent longevity; pine-trees represent the new year.
Online Tea Ceremony Virtual Tea Class
Virtual tea ceremony for teams and groups via ZOOM Tea: the world’s favorite drink. Nobody celebrates this beverage more artistically and beautifully than the Japanese. Gaining an insight into the centuries-old tea-drinking culture so intrinsic to their life remains a must-try experience.
Omurice Team Group Cooking Class in Japan
Online ramen making or Japanese Fried Rice Cooking for Virtual teams and groups via ZOOM Nothing brings people together quite like food! And in Japan, never more so than ramen noodles and omelette rice.
 

Included

  • Online Tea Ceremony

Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Kyoto

Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya is a leading cultural experience provider in Japan and the only tea ceremony experience that has received TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2022.

Maikoya Kyoto is found in a historic machiya townhouse in the heart of Kyoto, where the rich culture of Japan is most concentrated.

Learning about the traditions and practices of the country through our immersive cultural workshops and activities will surely give you a new perspective about the intricacies of the history and society in Japan.

Join us at Maikoya Kyoto as we guide you through Japan's traditional arts and history! Our friendly staff and hosts are fluent in English and Japanese and will make sure you have the best experiences and opportunities.




Contact Us

Email: kyoto@mai-ko.com
Address: 329, Ebiyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8076, Japan