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Japanese Tea Culture
 Let's talk about Japanese green tea from the perspective of lifestyle.
For nothing is more a part of everyday life in Japan than the preparation,
sharing and consumption of tea. If you were to pay a visit to my wife's
parents for instance (an old fashioned pair to be sure) you would be
welcomed into their very old minka*-style home (mud walls and all) and
promptly ushered into the eight tatami (Japanese floor mat) family room
(photo at right).
Mother would quickly place za-buton cushions on the floor for each of her
guests to sit upon, before herself disappearing into the kitchen to prepare
snacks and tea. You may note that mother did deftly slide the door to the
room shut before departing, as Japanese etiquette prescribe that we never leave
a door open unnecessarily. If you remembered your good Japanese manners
and brought a gift for your hosts, then you would have seen mother place your
gift on an inner shelf within the family home Buddhist altar (butsudan)
which resides just within the doorway of the family room. This in
order to offer and share your hospitality with the spirits of departed ancestors
before the living members of the family later enjoy your gift.
 If
father is home then he will likely sit and keep you company while you await your refreshments.
Before long you will hear the door again slide open as mother enters with a tray
containing a small Japanese style tea pot, enough cups for everyone in the room
and a sampling of delicious rice cake snacks (sembei) and possibly some
tea sweets (ochagashi). Mother will then place the tray on the tatami and carefully
dispense perfectly brewed cups of tea (ocha) for each guest. There will likely be
just enough hot water in the pot to fill all of the cups as mother did certainly
carefully measure in the kitchen the exact amount of water to use. This
was done by first dispensing hot water into
the tea cups before transferring the water to the pot. This is an
important step to ensure
that no water remains in the tea pot to spoil the tea (by continued steeping) in
the event a second serving of tea is desired. While drinking your tea you
should remember to also enjoy the snacks as well, especially the sweets which
are offered to counter the slight bitterness which is common in all green tea. Before leaving you might comment to mother about the tea cups or pot if any of
these items caught your eye. As Japanese do greatly appreciate the beauty
of ceramics and often strive to present food and drink in vessels and plates
which capture a sense of nature and which may reflect the current season.
Your kind words, and a pleasant final chat about the implements of the tea
service will mean much to mother, and will serve as a fitting and enjoyable end
to your visit.
* Traditional style Japanese home
A Little Green Tea History
 The
true origins of tea are lost in pre-history. However, some interesting
legends do exist to explain how humanity came to acquire this culinary treasure.
One Chinese story tells how a famous herbalist was preparing medicine next to a
large tea plant when some leaves did fall into a pot of boiling water.
Upon sampling the brew and realizing the stimulating benefits, the herbalist
then added tea to his list of medicines. Another story gives credit to the
Indian sage Bodhidarma (aka Daruma) who is the recognized founder
of Zen Buddhism. Daruma-san is thought to have achieved
enlightenment only after meditating for seven years straight without blinking or
moving his eyes. At one point during his long vigil Daruma
apparently became so overcome by fatigue that he tore off his eyelids and threw
them to the ground. The eyelids are then thought to have sprouted into
China's first green tea plants.
 Buddhist priests are normally credited
with introducing tea to Japan during the 6th century where it was first popular
with priests trying to stay alert during long sessions of meditation. Tea
was later adopted by the ruling and military classes where elaborate ceremonies
for the preparation and serving of tea were developed and refined over many
centuries. The Japanese tea ceremony (sadou) is today appreciated
as one of the most beautiful and intriguing of the traditional Japanese arts.
Tea is certainly one of the defining elements of contemporary Japanese
lifestyle; important in family and social settings and providing catalyst for a
wide range of art forms, from ceramic and iron ware, to bamboo craft as well as
the very act of drinking. And while practitioners of the tea ceremony may
spend a lifetime mastering the art of tea, Japanese from every walk of life do
appreciate on a daily basis the delicious flavor and invigorating effect of this
most important drink.
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Related Features
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Brewing
Japanese Green Tea
Learn how the Japanese prepare
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