Tea Ceremony

The importance of Sado, or in Japanese tea ceremony terms—"Way of Tea," embraces both philosophical and religious thinking. This influence was very important to the Japanese culture from AD1550-1850 and it is, even today, held very sacred and highly regarded in Japan.

Raku

The English actually invented the term 'tea ceremony' but the original custom was a relaxed event simply called Cha-no-yu or "hot water for tea.' These ceremonial connotations were later formalized to a more stylized ritual. The religious and cultural roots of 'the Way with Tea'—Sado—stem from Zen Buddhism. Samauai masses rejected the opulant, ostentatious trappings of the imperial court and, therefore, were attracted to Zen's simplicity and austerity.

It also correlated with the pursuit of personal enlightenment, was encouraged by military discipline, and emphasized weaponry expertise. Monks, in the Zen Buddhist temples of China, thought tea consumption aided meditation. The Japanese, who appreciated the simplicity of this pottery, soon began to make them for their own use. In Japan throughout the 15th century, Zen spread widely, penetrating into the masses, as well as religious culture.

Tea ceremonies assumed greater importance and the Shogun Yoshimasa built the first tea house or chashitsu. Tea masters were considered very important and were involved in every detail and aspect from the design of the tea house to the utensils and vessels used. Tea masters were also very involved and held responsible for setting the mood of the tea ceremony and all of its activities (before and after). For the fortunate chosen guests, the primary objective was to integrate harmony and all the physical elements of a peaceful atmosphere to achieve tranquility, harmony, and above all, enlightenment.