japanaese tea ceremony / sadō (茶道)
The Japanese Tea Ceremony, Chanoyu or Chado, embodies key principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. This ritual emphasizes mindfulness and intentionality in every step, from tea preparation to consumption. By infusing the ceremony with positive values and meticulous attention to detail, participants aim to cultivate an atmosphere of grace and enlightenment beyond tea-making. Ceramic wares, especially tea bowls like Chawan, are integral to the ceremony, symbolizing the values that transcend mere aesthetics. As an artist, embedding moral values in ceramic artworks allows you to convey messages of nature preservation, ethics, spirituality, and human virtues, prompting reflection and contemplation among viewers. This practice of infusing art with meaningful messages serves as a medium for promoting essential values and sparking dialogue on ethics and virtues in contemporary society. Through promoting positive values in ceramics, you contribute to a broader conversation on the importance of fostering virtues that enrich personal growth, relationships, and societal harmony.
japanese tea ceremony collections
teabowl / chawan (茶碗)
Chawans, or tea bowls, are vital in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. They come in various sizes and styles tailored to the type of tea, season, and theme of the ceremony, with bowl design impacting tea temperature. Shallow bowls cool tea quickly for summer, while deep bowls retain heat for winter use. Chawans can be named after their creators or owners, giving personal significance. Some are valuable heirlooms used on special occasions. The symbolism and aesthetics of chawans align with the ceremony's seasonal and thematic elements. Styles like Wan-nari, tsutsu-gata, and Hatazori-gata offer diverse options, enhancing the ceremony’s ambiance.
Some chawans date back centuries and are considered precious heirlooms, reserved for special occasions. Thus, chawans transcend their role as mere tea containers, embodying the appreciation of life.
the unique properties of a chawan (茶碗)
Chawans embody a balance of form, function, and aesthetics in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Their design and construction uphold specific criteria to ensure a harmonious and meaningful tea experience. A chawan typically exhibits characteristics such as a well-proportioned size, precise weight, and is crafted interior surface that facilitates the delicate whisking of matcha.
- saizu, (size) - The Golden Mean is 1 : 1.618 (13cm diameter / 8cm height) or close to it. Why 13cm? Dou, (the perfect size to "nestle" into human hands).
- weight - Overall about 454 grams (1 lb) or very close to it.
- center of mass (balance) - The distribution of weight matters a lot.
- mikomi (interior surface needs to relatively smooth) - The transition between wall and floor should not be "creased". Allowing the very fragile tines of the whisk to move effortlessly. The transitional curve is called the Koshi.
- quality of the rim - Needs to be smooth; during the ritual wiping of the rim of the bowl, using the Chakin, (hemp cloth)
- koudai (the grip-ability of the Foot) - During the ceremony you will be holding the chawan with your hand underneath the foot. and also when presenting the bowl.
- Chadamari (the tea pool) - There usually is a depression called the "Tea Pool".
aesthetic
Each chawan reflects a distinct personality and history, inviting tea practitioners to forge a connection with these vessels over time through regular use and contemplation during tea ceremonies.
- Tsuchi Aji (quality of the clay) - The unique qualities of the clay body.
- Shomen (the front) - One side of the bowl is the focal point.
- Keshiki (landscapes) - It takes a long time to get to know you chawan
The craftsmanship and attention to detail in creating chawans elevate them beyond mere utensils, transforming them into works of art that enrich the tea experience and resonate with the deeper traditions and philosophies of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
teacup / yunomi (湯飲み)
The best English language equivalent is maybe "cup" or possibly even "hot beverage cup".
湯 Yu - meaning "hot water
飲み - Nomi - meaning to drink
Nowhere In yunomi 湯飲み do we find this Kanji character 茶, meaning tea.
vs teabowl / chawan (茶碗)
Chawan 茶碗, the Kanji character 茶 means tea.
dōgu 道具
Certainly, the world of traditional Japanese tea ceremony, or Chanoyu, is rich and intricate, requiring a diverse array of tea implements and supplies known as Dōgu to conduct even the most basic ceremony. The comprehensive nature of these tools is reflected in the vast volume of literature dedicated to cataloging and detailing them, underscoring the depth and complexity of the tea ceremony tradition.
While a comprehensive list of all available tea implements and their variations could indeed fill numerous volumes, here is a brief overview of essential components commonly found in the practice of Chanoyu:
1. Chawan (Tea Bowl): The vessel in which matcha is prepared and served.
2. Chasen (Tea Whisk): Used to froth and mix the matcha powder with hot water.
3. Chashaku (Tea Scoop): Used to measure and transfer matcha powder into the chawan.
4. Kensui (Waste Water Bowl): A receptacle for waste water generated during the tea ceremony.
5. Futaoki (Lid Rest): A small rest used to hold the lid of the kettle or tea caddy.
6. Mizusashi (Cold Water Container): A container for fresh water used during the tea ceremony.
7. Kama (Iron Kettle): Used to heat water for preparing matcha.
8. Natsume (Tea Caddy): Container for storing matcha powder.
9. Hishaku (Water Ladle): Used to transfer hot water from the kettle to the tea bowl.
10. Kensui Hishaku (Waste Water Ladle): Used to discard the waste water from the bowl after washing.
Each of these items plays a crucial role in the tea ceremony, contributing to the overall aesthetic, ritual, and sensory experience of the event. Collecting these Dōgu can be a lifelong pursuit, with antique or artist-made pieces commanding high prices due to their craftsmanship, history, and cultural significance. For practitioners and tea enthusiasts, acquiring and caring for these tools is not only a practical necessity but also a meaningful journey of exploration, appreciation, and dedication to the art of Chanoyu.