What Are Tea Ceremony Etiquettes?
Japanese tea ceremony etiquette is similar to showing basic social manners such as being on time, wearing a clean pair of socks, and keeping quiet during the ceremony. Additionally, participants should not forget to take their shoes off when entering the building, put their cell phones on the manner mode, bow to the host, and abstain from using heavy fragrances.
Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591) was a famous Japanese tea master who shaped the traditional Japanese tea ceremony into what it is today. He is known for developing the wabi-cha style, which values simplicity, quietness, and natural beauty.
Rikyū is often called the "Saint of Tea" for his deep influence on Japanese culture. He taught many important students and worked closely with powerful leaders of his time.
Today, his teachings live on through the three main schools of tea ceremony in Japan: Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushakouji-senke, all founded by his descendants.
It is expected that participants will wear a kimono or at least dress up conservatively. Hiding jewelry and watches would be ideal but not necessary. While everyone must be quiet when the host is purifying the tools, they are supposed to compliment the bowls and seasonal flowers at the end of the tea ceremony. When the host initiates the conversation, the topics should not be about personal matters but relate to the tea ceremony and seasonal changes.
The etiquette and expected manners may also depend on whether the guest is a beginner or not. For instance, advanced practitioners must bring their paper fans and sit on their knees for the whole time, but for first-timers failing to do so would not be considered a social faux pas.
Additionally, most Japanese eat traditional sweets in three pieces and drink the tea in 3 sips. However, foreigners do not necessarily have to consider these as strict rules. On the other hand, one simple rule most beginners ignore is making the “slurping sound” after finishing the tea, which indicates the guest has finished drinking tea and enjoyed all of it.