Frequently Asked Questions about Tea Ceremony

How long does it take to be a Tea Ceremony Host?
It takes years of study (about once a week, for several hours) in private or small group classes.
The reason it takes so long is that there are over 200 steps in a tea ceremony, and there are many kinds of ceremonies depending on the season.

Each step is carefully, methodically prescribed and must be first memorized before a host can remember the movements without effort or strain. Once the body has ‘memorized’ all the steps, the host can begin to work towards a higher level of tea (mind, spirit and intention).

Many students of tea simply enjoy being a guest and watching their teacher (or advanced students) prepare tea before they try making it themselves. This stage of observation often lasts 6 months to a year.

What is a tea gathering?
Tea gatherings usually involve no more than 15 people at a time (depending on the size of the tearoom. Guests observe the making of tea (which takes about 30 min. for simple, thin tea (USUCHA), or up to 2 hours for thick ceremonial tea (KOICHA),

Why are tea gatherings held?
Ochakai are held in Japan for many different occasions such as New Year’s, the arrival of Spring, as a memorial for someone, or to celebrate an important event in the life of a person.

How often do they happen?
Not often! They require considerable preparation, so many teachers with about 25 students will hold a ‘public tea’ perhaps only once a year or two.

Who attends tea classes or gatherings?
Mostly women: until the late 1880s, Tea was a world for men (mostly). However in the late Meiji Period, Tea was included in the school curriculum for girls. Today more than 95% of tea students are women.

In Japan: Tea gatherings are usually attended only by students or friends (word of mouth and invitation only), It is a closed society, particularly the Omote-senke world. There are some tea centers or museums/restaurants where you can buy tea, but it is quite rare to see the whole ceremony performed.

In Ottawa: Anyone with an interest in tea and its principals is welcome to attend our monthly teas. Contact Rebecca at beccabenoit[at]yahoo.com to make a reservation.