the spread west
porcelain
tree to teapot
chado
colonization and tea
modern teapots
A History of Teapots
Chado: Adoration of the Everyday
Iconography can be found in Zen Buddhism, but other types of art play a more central role in Zen practice. Calligraphy, martial arts like archery, gardens and the tea ceremony are examples of the intrinsic aesthetic character of Zen Buddhism. These forms are not really symbolic actions with religious content, but are rather disciplines that aid in meditation as well as expressions of meditation.Chado, "the way of tea," experienced its prime during the the 16th century under the influence of the artist Sen Rikyu. Tea, which had once been used for medicinal purposes, had become a common drink. In China, elaborate tea tasting contests present in all economic classes developed into feasts that encouraged hedonistic behavior. Wealthy Japanese soon adopted the practice of throwing tea parties that served to display wealth and featured public bathing, gambling, and large amounts of sake. Zen monks "rescued" tea from this decadence The tea ceremony provided a venue and practice for recognizing the beauty of ordinary life. The aesthetic character of the ceremony was defined as wabi, or a rustic, simple quality -- a celebration of the humble aspects of life.
The Ceremony: Cha-no-yu ("hot water for tea")
The host kneels at the door of the teahouse, while guests wash their hands before entering, leaving shoes and weapons outside. The guests then kneel before the tokonoma, an shelf-like arrangement that serves as a physical center for the ceremony.The host brings in the simple tea wares and displays everything, and the guests may take leave while the preparations are continued. When the water boils, the guests are called back with a gong and given food and possibly sake.
The powdered tea is placed in the tea bowl and covered with hot, not boiling, water. After being beaten into a froth, the drink is passed to the chief guest who imbibes and passes the bowl to the next guest, and so it continues.
In the past, the host may have given away all of the tea wares and tea making implements, except the bowl-which would be kept and then broken to symbolize the end of the ceremony.
The Book of Tea, by Okakura Kakuzo, provides in depth discussions of chado and the religious aspects of the tea ceremony.