Cha-no-yu: The Instruments of a Tea Ceremony

The pageantry in the presentation of a tea ceremony is incredibly passionate, tranquil and spiritual. There are instruments of a tea ceremony that are essential in completing the modus operandi of each interchange in the ritual.

The Chaire is a tea caddy, usually containing 2 inch small jars that hold your specially ground tea powder called matcha.

Chawan is the tea bowl that plays the most active part of the tea ceremony. Tea bowls are specifically constructed in various shapes, sizes and types contingent on the formality of the tea ceremony. An individual bowl is prepared for each guest by the host.

The Chasen is a bamboo whisk. There are 3 types of bamboo whisks: smoked bamboo, dried bamboo or fresh bamboo. The head of the whisk is either fine, medium or rough. Which one to use depends on the type of tea you select to serve.

Kensui is the wastewater bowl that is a receptacle for which tea bowls have been rinsed. It is purposefully designed to be less eye catching than the other utensils for the tea ceremony. This bowl is sometimes called Koboshi.

The Kama is a Japanese iron teakettle that is specifically designed for boiling water to prepare powdered green tea.

Cha-shaku is a bamboo tea scoop. It is used for scooping powdered tea from the caddy into a tea bowl. This scoop is often made by the hosts of the tea ceremonies. According to the formality of the tea ceremony, there are 3 types of Cha-shaku available.

The Natsume is a type of lacquered tray that resembles the jujube fruit that goes back to Haneda Gorõ, the 15^th Century Kyoto lacquerer artisan.

Kai-Shi is a Kogiku paper napkin used for draining and drying wet utensils.

The Shino Tray is the dessert caddy that is a specially glazed ceramic shallow platter.

Fukusa is a silk napkin used to hold and wipe utensils during a tea ceremony.

Mizusashi is the freshwater covered jar contains the clean, cool water that is used to regulate the temperature of the water in the Kama. It is also used to rinse other utensils. It’s shape necessitates a wide mouth design for the ladle and a stable base.

Uzukumaru is the small, narrow mouthed flower vase that is aesthetically positioned in a special place for the tea ceremony and is used as a flower container.