Guest Manners and Etiquette in the Japanese Tea Ceremony 101

Name: Guest Manners and Etiquette in the Japanese Tea Ceremony 101
Rating: 4.8 (6 reviews)

Mastering the Art of Graceful Participation

Created bySoryu (Riko) Yamakawa

Last updated 6/2023

English

What you'll learn

The golden rules provide you with an understanding of basic Japanese tea ceremony etiquette that you can apply in any situation.
The fundamental concepts in the underlying messages and feeling this action conveys and why it bears meaning.
Good manners help you make and maintain positive social interactions.
Familiarity with basic terminology and concepts: Participants should become acquainted with the essential terminology and concepts related to the tea ceremony.
Proper sitting posture and movements: Learners should master the appropriate sitting posture and movements required during the tea ceremony.
Knowledge of guest behaviors: Participants should learn the expected behaviors and etiquette as guests.

Course content

3 sections • 12 lectures • 1h 9m total length

Greetings from Instructor5:25
Explore the etiquette of the Japanese tea ceremony as a heart-to-heart host-and-guest ritual, where repeated forms express respect and gratitude and build connection through a bowl of tea.

History of Tea Culture5:15
Explore the history of Japanese tea culture from China import to Zen tea practice, chanoyu, and Sen no Rikyu's influence, up to Meiji shifts expanding etiquette to women.
Essential Japanese tea utensils9:57
Learn the 15 essential tea utensils of the Japanese tea ceremony, from furrow and ro to mizusashi, natsume, tea scoop, bamboo whisk, fukusa, and kaishi paper.
The layout of tatami mats8:42
Explore the eight-tatami tea room layout, learn about tokonoma and kamiza, and understand walking rules: avoid edges, take three steps with the left foot first, and walk on keio mats.
The protocol entering and leaving a Japanese tea room9:22
Enter the tea room in predetermined seating order, bow to the alcove and hanging scroll, and view utensils with the host before taking your seat; depart in sequence, preserving respect.
How to eat and drink7:37
Explore guest etiquette in the Japanese tea ceremony, from serving and eating seasonal higashi and omorashi sweets on kaishi, to preparing, bowing, and drinking thick and thin matcha.

How to carry kaishi paper and a folding fan1:50
Master the proper handling of kaishi paper and a folding fan in the Japanese tea ceremony, including placement in the kimono and obi, and correct greetings, walking, and posture.
How to open and close a sliding door1:19
Enter tea room in seating order; open the door, slide in on knees with the fan in front, then sit at a 45-degree angle and bow to the first guest.
How to sit in seiza and bow on tatami floor1:30
Master seiza seating and bowing on tatami, with precise foot placement, toe engagement, and a triangle hand posture. Stand and sit gracefully, aligning your movements for elegant tea ceremony etiquette.
How to walk on tatami mats6:28
Walk the tatami with precise steps, view the scroll and flowers, bow to the principal guest, begin with the kettle, prepare tea utensils, then serve tea.
How to eat sweets5:16
Learn how to eat sweets in the Japanese tea ceremony, including bowing to the host, using kaishi paper as a plate, and handling the sweets with a fork.
How to drink a bowl of thin tea and view the tea bowl6:26
Learn how to drink a bowl of tea and view the tea bowl in the Japanese tea ceremony, with bowing, rotating the bowl, slurping, and careful tatami handling.

Requirements

No need to have a Japanese-style room with tatami floor.
No Japanese tea ceremony experience is needed.
This course does not require any tea utensils or matcha.

Description

Immerse yourself in the elegance and cultural significance of the Japanese tea ceremony as we embark on a journey to explore the guest manners and etiquette essential to this revered tradition. This comprehensive course is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of the customs and behaviors expected of guests during a tea ceremony, allowing you to fully appreciate and engage in this timeless art form.

Manners are always aimed at doing the same thing: making other people feel appreciated and respected, which also helps friendships develop. The path of tea, Chanoyu, requires the host and guests follow the rules of tea procedure. When a clear etiquette of procedure is established between the host and guests through constant repetition, forms appear for each kind of action. Then the forms became the expression of the spirit of host and guests, and by correctly performing the forms the host and guests were able to express their feelings toward each other.

A focal point of this course is the development of proper guest manners and etiquette. You will learn the intricacies of the tea ceremony, including the correct sitting posture, graceful movements within the tearoom, and the art of bowing. You will gain familiarity with the essential tea utensils, understanding their purpose.

The golden rules provide you with an understanding of basic Japanese tea ceremony etiquette that you can apply in any situation. The first module provides fundamental concepts in the underlying messages and feeling this action conveys and why it bears meaning.

The second module is a series of tutorial videos which is designed to learn how to apply the golden rules.

Join us on this transformative journey as we unlock the secrets of guest manners and etiquette in the Japanese tea ceremony. Immerse yourself in a world of tranquility and beauty, and emerge with a profound appreciation for the timeless elegance of this cherished culture practice. Enroll today and embark on a path to becoming a refined and knowledgeable guest in the art of the tea ceremony.

Who this course is for:

Curious about Japanese culture
Tea enthusiasts and students of Japanese traditional arts
Tourists visiting Japan
Anyone who wants to learn about and experience the tea ceremony firsthand.

Guest Manners and Etiquette in the Japanese Tea Ceremony 101

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 5min

Module 15 lectures • 41min

Module 26 lectures • 23min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: