Tea Ceremony

Carpe Diem #1146 Tea Ceremony

By 狩野養信・雅信 模写 Copied by Kanō Osanobu and Kanō Masanobu. The original work, which was also copied, was made in 1632. (東京国立博物館 蔵) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Murata Shukô (1422-1502) was abbot of Daitoku-ji in Kyoto. He introduced a simpler aesthetic for the tea ceremony called.soan-cha, or thatched hut tea. The  focus of this ceremony is relationship between host and guest.  He emphasized  the spirit and mind of the host instead of his technique.

Tea is naught but this:
First you heat the water,
Then you make the tea.
Then you drink it properly.
That is all you need to know              Sen no Rikyû (1522-1591)

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garden tea hut
waiting for first steps
to enlightenment

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before the tea
moist sweet treats prepare pallet
for shared bitterness

Credit

tea bowl in hand
warmth penetrating
heart and soul

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moment of purity
bitterness of green tea
balanced with sweets