Why do you have to turn the bowl before drinking matcha during a Japanese Tea Ceremony? What is a bowl’s “face”? Why must tea ceremony practitioners whisk the very top of the foam?
These were just some of the questions answered during our “JETAA Toronto Does Tea Ceremony” event, while it poured buckets outside and the guests were cozily sequestered at the home of one of our JETAA Co-Chairs, enjoying tea and treats straight from Japan.
“Sado” is a quintessential aspect of Japanese traditional culture and something that visitors to Japan are encouraged to experience on their travels to the country. Usually, it’s a reserved and quiet occasion. Coming back to Toronto, it’s difficult to find that bit of ceremonial experience. One of our members studied tea ceremony for the two years while she was on JET, and she brought her skills and knowledge – and tea bowls and utensils – back with her.
Hosting a laidback ceremony (guests weren’t required to sit seiza; the tea practicioner? Not so lucky) over two sessions, Yaroslava served yokan – a traditional red bean paste jelly sweet – before whisking bowls of delicious, foamy matcha, and explaining the step by step process of the ceremony, where each action is deliberate.
If you missed out this time, or want to experience a Japanese Tea Ceremony in Toronto, keep this event in mind for the next time we host one!
