KCP Summer 2016 Students Experience Japanese Tea Ceremony
Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially processed and grown green tea. Matcha was developed by a Chinese monk from the tea plant camellia sinensis. It is a popular flavor in Japan and is used in traditional Japanese cuisine, drinks, and snacks. Matcha is also used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony that centers on the preparing, serving, and drinking of green tea.
The Japanese tea ceremony, or chanoyu (“hot water for tea”), is an elaborate ritual of serving green tea, matcha, along with some sweets. Each gesture and act is deliberate. The whole process is not only about drinking tea; it is meant to leave a lasting impression of serving the best bowl of tea from the host. Each minute detail in the tea ceremony is given great attention to ensure that the guests, shokyaku, are pleased with the whole experience.
The chanoyu is a way to relieve the stress of everyday life, even for just a short while, by immersing in the Zen aesthetics of serenity and peace.
Our Summer term KCP students recently became acquainted with the Japanese tea ceremony. Check out our photos!
For more photos of the tea ceremony, visit our Flickr album.
Check out more KCP alumni in their own tea ceremonies!
KCP Winter 2016 Students Experience the Japanese Tea Ceremony
KCP Spring 2016 Students Experience Chanoyu
