In Japan, Chado, known as the tea ceremony, involves more than just drinking matcha tea.

Chado has a history of over 500 years and many people around the world continue to study and enjoy the benefits of the tea ceremony experience.

Chado teaches us how to sharpen our senses by practicing mindfulness and how to improve our state of mind. It is a classic method to realize spiritual discipline.

Consisting of 18 segments of video material, this self-learning course provides students with a well-rounded experience in the world of Chado including its history, a thorough explanation of the utensils used in the tea ceremony, and detailed instruction of the basic tea-making procedure.

In the video material, explanatory narration and video clips combined with slow-motion footage and still image act as clear guides for the students.

In addition, the downloadable text of the narration for each video is provided as a PDF for you to confirm all the detailed instructions.

Also, students will be able to analyze an authentic tea gathering and understand the unique story behind it.

This self-paced virtual course is designed for students to have a deep understanding of this unique ancient meditative Japanese tradition and cultural treasure and master the basic performance of the tea ceremony as both a host and a guest.

• Segments of Video Material:

  
  

  1. Introduction of Chado

  Study points are:

  Fundamental characters of Chado,

  how to practice the teachings of Chado,

  what we gain from the practice of Chado, and

  how we distinguish Chado from other Japanese traditional arts.

  
  2. History of Chado

  Study points are:

  The backgrounds of the era when Chado was established,

  who initiated it and how it developed Wabi-cha (Wabi-sabi style of Chado), and

  why Chado has been inherited as it is to this day.

  
  

  3. Introduction of Chaji

  Chaji is a tea gathering conducted in the concept of Chado in its original style. I will show a video from an actual Chaji.

  Study points are:

  The entire process of Chaji,

  the attitude the host and guests should have, and

  how we practice the teachings of Chado through Chaji.

  
  4. Introduction of Tea Bowls

  Study points are:

  The characters of tea bowls used for tea ceremonies,

  variety of tea bowls, and

  aspects of tea bowls to appreciate such as color, shape and texture.

  
  

  5. Introduction of Chashaku, a bamboo tea scoop.

  Study points are:

  The characters of chashaku used for tea ceremonies,

  how we categorize chashaku,

  “mei,” the poetic name conferred to chashaku,

  the process of the production of chashaku, and

  each part of chashaku to appreciate such as color and shape.

  
  

  6. Introduction of Chasen, a bamboo tea whisk.

  Study points are:

  Chasen comes with different numbers of tines (split pieces),

  how to choose the chasen,

  the process of the production of chasen, and

  how to maintain chasen before and after use.

  
  

  7. Introduction of Tetsubin, an iron kettle.

  Study points are:

  The character of tetsubin,

  different points between a tetsubin and an iron teapot,

  how to maintain tetsubin, and

  how to deal with rust.

  
  

  8. Introduction of Chakin, a white fabric made of hemp used to wipe the tea bowl.

  Study points are:

  How to prepare chakin for the ceremony,

  how to handle chakin during the ceremony, and

  what to do with it after its usage.

  
  

  9. Introduction of Matcha

  Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves

  Study points are:

  Matcha as one of the green teas,

  the different characters of matcha from other green teas,

  how the matcha is made, and

  the main ingredients and health benefits of green teas in general.

  
  

  
  

  10. Introduction of Fukusa, a square silk, kobukusa, a small square silk with patterns, kaishi, a packet of washi paper, kashikiri, a small knife for cutting sweets, and sensu, a folding fan.

  Study points are:

  The basic information such as size and usage of each item,

  how to handle each item, and

  the basic process to handle fukusa for a host and a guest.

  
  

  11. Warigeiko (part training) 1: How to purify the natsume, a tea powder container.

  Study points are:

  The intricate movement of each step during the purifying process, and

  the way to handle the fukusa.

  
  

  12. Warigeiko (part training) 2: How to purify the Chashaku, a bamboo tea scoop.

  Study points are:

  The intricate movement of each step during the purifying process, and

  the way to handle the fukusa.

  
  13. Warigeiko (part training) 3: "chasen-toshi" performed for warming up the tea bowl and softening the chasen.

  Study points are:

  The precise movement of each step during the moving of the chasen and

  the way to use certain fingers.

  
  12. Warigeiko (part training) 2: How to purify the chashaku, a bamboo tea scoop.

  Study points are:

  The intricate movement of each step during the purifying process, and

  the certain way to handle the fukusa.

  
  13. Warigeiko (part training) 3: "Chasen-Toshi" performed for warming up the tea bowl and softening the chasen.

  Study points are:

  The precise movements of each step during the movement of the chasen and

  the way to use the fingers and wrist.

  
  14. Preparation for Bonryaku Demae.

  Study points are:

  Recommendations for the atmosphere of the ceremony,

  the how to select some main items used for the ceremony, and

  the positions of each utensil.

  
  16. Demonstration of Bonryaku Demae.

  Study points are:

  The order of the process and pace, and

  the entire mood and rhythm of the ceremony.

  
  

  17. Bonryaku Demae using tables with a guest.

  Study points are:

  The entire order of the process,

  how to drink a bowl of tea and eat sweets,

  important Japanese phrases used during the ceremony,

  how to interact between a host and a guest, and

  the attitude during the ceremony of the host and the guest.

  
  18. Bonryaku Demae in the tea room with a guest.

  Study points are:

  The entire order of the process,

  how to drink a bowl of tea and eat sweets,

  the certain rules of walking and moving in the tea room,

  important Japanese phrases used during the ceremony,

  the interaction between a host and a guest, and

  the attitude during the ceremony of the host and the guest.