Alright, let’s talk about my recent experience with a Japanese tea ceremony set. I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture, and the tea ceremony, or “sado” as they call it, has always been at the top of my list of things to try. So, I finally took the plunge and got myself a tea set.

Getting Started

First off, I did some research. Turns out, it’s not just about brewing tea. This is a whole ritual, a spiritual practice deeply rooted in principles like harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Sounds deep, right? I was even more intrigued.

The Set-Up

I got a basic set online – nothing too fancy. It came with a matcha bowl (chawan), a bamboo whisk (chasen), a tea scoop (chashaku), and a tea caddy (natsume). I also got some matcha powder, which is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves.

My First Attempt

I followed the steps I found in my research, I’m pretty sure I messed up a lot, but hey, it’s a learning process.

• The Invitation: In a real ceremony, this would be a formal invitation, but I just invited my friend over. We’re casual like that.
• Preparing the Tea Room: I cleared my living room table and put a nice cloth on it. That’s about as zen as my apartment gets.
• Guests’ Entrance: My friend just walked in, but I made him bow a little. It felt right.
• Purification of Tools: I rinsed the bowl and whisk with hot water. It felt oddly satisfying.
• Making the Tea: I scooped some matcha into the bowl, added hot water, and whisked it until it was frothy. I tried to whisk in an “M” shape like I read somewhere.

The Tasting

I served the tea to my friend first. I think there’s a whole thing about apologizing for serving before others, but we skipped that part. We both took a sip. It was… an experience. Matcha has this unique, earthy, slightly bitter taste. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but I found it strangely calming.

Reflecting on the Experience

Honestly, it was a bit awkward at first, trying to remember all the steps and not spill anything. But as we went through the motions, I started to feel a sense of calm, a connection to something ancient and meaningful. It wasn’t just about the tea; it was about the process, the mindfulness of each action.

I’m no tea master, not even close. But this little experiment gave me a glimpse into the beauty and depth of the Japanese tea ceremony. I’ll definitely keep practicing. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to host a proper tea ceremony, complete with all the formalities. Until then, I’ll keep whisking away, finding moments of zen in my everyday life.