🌸 The Soul of Japan: Matcha Rituals as an Act of Kindness and Respect

🍵 Why Do We Have This “Ritual”?

Matcha is not just a drink. It is a moment packed with the “spirit of hospitality” and the tea bowl (chawan) itself is considered the “only work of art you touch with your hands.”

While the tea ceremony (Chado) rituals may seem complicated, every single step is born from “gratitude to the host” and “respect for the beautiful bowl.”

Here is a guide to the rituals, focusing on the beautiful Japanese mindset behind them.

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【🍵 The State of Mind Essential in a Tea Ceremony】

The philosophy of the tea ceremony (Chanoyu) is rooted in the concept of cherishing the present moment.

1. The Spirit of Ichigo Ichi-e (One Time, One Meeting):
   • What to Realize: Hold the thought that “this moment of sharing tea is a precious experience that will never happen again in this exact way.”
   • Change in Action: Concentrate fully on the matcha’s color, aroma, warmth, and the host’s thoughtful preparation—without being distracted by anything else.
2. The Joy of Silence (Seijaku):
   • What to Realize: In the tearoom, focus on deep breathing, clear your mind of worries, and concentrate on the feeling of “being right here, right now.”
   • Change in Action: Avoid unnecessary talking or moving. Treat this as a moment to step away from the busy modern world and reset your mind.

By holding these two states of mind, the flavor of the matcha deepens, and the act transforms from merely drinking a beverage into a valuable experience of self-reflection.

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Step １: Start with the Sweet (Wagashi)

• The Kindness: Matcha has a slight bitterness, so eating a sweet confection first ensures that you experience the matcha’s flavor more pleasantly and richly.
• The Ritual: Eat the entire sweet before the matcha bowl is placed in front of you.

Step ２: Bow and Receive the Bowl

• The Kindness: You are showing gratitude to the host (Teishu), saying “Thank you for the preparation (O-temae).”
• The Ritual:
  1. Start with a slight bow.
  2. Pick up the bowl with your right hand and place it on your left palm.
  3. Gently cup the side of the bowl with your right hand, holding it carefully with both hands.

Step ３: Rotate the Bowl to Avoid the “Front”

• The Kindness: The bowl has a “front” (Shomen)—the most beautifully painted side. The host intentionally placed this beautiful side facing you. As a sign of respect, you humbly avoid drinking from this beautiful front.
• The Ritual: Holding the bowl with both hands, slowly rotate it clockwise about twice (a quarter turn each time). Bring the bowl to your lips at a position that avoids the main pattern.

Step ４: Taste the Matcha (Making a Sound is Encouraged!)

• The Kindness: Take several small sips, slowly savoring the matcha’s flavor, temperature, and the texture of the foam.
• The Ritual: Do not put the bowl down until you are finished. When you take the final sip, make a gentle “Zuzz” sound as you finish the tea.※ This sound is the highest compliment to the host, signifying: “That was extremely delicious!”

Step ５: Wipe the Sip Mark and Return the Bowl

• The Kindness: This is a courtesy to the next person who might look at the bowl or the person who will clean it up.
• The Ritual:
  1. Gently wipe the spot where your lips touched with your right thumb and index finger.
  2. Cleanse your fingers on your kaishi (if you have one) or a small tissue.
  3. After drinking, rotate the bowl counter-clockwise about twice, so the front of the bowl is facing you again, and place it back where it started.

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By being mindful of these rituals and the spirit of Ichigo Ichi-e, your time with matcha transforms into a beautiful “time for polishing the heart.”