"Sahou" - Manner

Shall we introduce you the deep and traditional wold of "TEA"?

The Japanese Tea ceremony can consist of just 3 actions, boiling water, making tea and serving tea. That's all. But just to follow these three steps, there are some different schools. Each school can offer its own theories and way of serve. We'll introduce you a simple and general manner how to be served and enjoy a cup of tea at the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Please study and enjoy your very first step into the world of the Japanese "Tea".

one

Please sit upright and carry your head high and take up the tea bowl served in front of you with your right hand. The bowl is to be put on the finger cushion of your left hand.
two

At the ceremony, the tea is served in a tea bowl. The side of the bowl shown from you is its front side, so called "Kao (face)" The face can show you its character with its picture, color and any kinds of motives and the host selects this bowl for you or for this time because of this face. So please look at it and try to imagine or understand about the meaning.
three

Holding the tea bowl on your left hand, turn it clockwise with your right hand until the front of the bowl faces the host.
four

And you drink the tea up in three and a half sips. And it's important to make a slurping sound at the last half sip as a sign for drinking-up. It's an authorized manner.
five

Once you drink all the tea up, swipe the edge of the tea bowl with your thumb and fore finger (with your right hand) where you put your lips to drink tea. Then clean your used fingers with paper (named "Kaishi", thin washi-paper often used at the tea ceremonies).
six

Please turn the tea bowl counter-clockwise (until its face will return to the center.) and put it in front of you with your right hand. After placing the tea bowl, you can admire again its front artistic part.
seven

At last, please make a bow to the host who made tea for you, or furthermore make a bow to your host with your appreciative words "That was delicious tea".