What is “Chado”
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What is “Chado”
The Japanese word, “Chado”, literally means ‘the way of tea,’ and is commonly used in English to refer to traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Chado centers on the concept of the host and the guest spending a mutually heartwarming time together over a bowl of matcha tea. The host aims to serve the guest an unforgettably satisfying bowl of tea, and the guest responds with thankfulness. Both of them realize that the time shared can never be repeated; it is a ‘once in a lifetime’ occasion.
While primary visual representation of Chado remains the simple and sincere exchange of a bowl of tea between host and guest, the process of studying Chado requires an understanding of other areas of Japanese culture, including but not limited to, art, philosophy, religion, architecture, landscape, crafts, and cuisine.
“Wabi-Sabi”
The Japanese word, “wabi-sabi”, is often mentioned in connection with Chado. Rooted in traditional Japanese aesthetics, practitioners of “wabi-sabi” seek to find beauty by accepting the imperfections of life and by living in humble manner. Within a tranquil tea room, the focus involved in preparing a bowl of tea has a calming effect, and is also considered a path to self-spiritual awakening.
”Temae”
Students of Chado learn “temae” which are the procedures of preparing and serving a bowl of tea while cherishing the seasonal tea utensils. Step-by-step,meaningful movements reflect the importance of each motion in offering warm hospitality in respectful manner.
