Written by a mindfulness tea teacher, Miki Sensei.
When hosting tea ceremony experiences for international guests, I often receive the following question: "When do Japanese people hold tea gatherings like this?"
In response, all of us Japanese hosts will lower our eyes slightly, almost apologetically, and answer.
"Unfortunately, these days many Japanese people go their entire lives without ever experiencing a tea gathering."
According to a survey by the Agency for Cultural Affairs conducted in the late 2010s, only about one-third of people in Japan have participated in a tea ceremony at least once, and only about 1.4% (around 1.7 million people) are currently practicing or have practiced it. While there may be some margin of error, the reality is that the majority of Japanese people do not know how to prepare matcha, nor the etiquette expected of a guest.
Returning to the initial question, when our answer leaves international guests looking puzzled, I continue: "People like us, who study tea, hold these gatherings for important people, special occasions, and seasonal milestones. Our everyday practice exists solely for these gatherings."
And at this point, people often appear even more puzzled.
Tea, often described as the comprehensive art of Japanese culture, has taken on a special, almost extraordinary, significance even for many Japanese people. There are several reasons for this.
Firstly, the overall number of tea practitioners has declined over time. One reason for this is lifestyle changes: many Japanese people no longer have tatami rooms, use chairs, and are accustomed to wearing Western clothing. Additionally, there are also perceptions (some of which may hold some truth) that the practice of tea requires considerable investment of time and money, as well as strict etiquette, a kimono dress code, and the traditional seiza (正座) sitting style.
The same can be said about the kimono. Approximately half of Japanese people have worn a kimono at least once, but only about one-fifth of those (around 10% overall) are able to dress themselves in one. And in my experience, it is very rare, almost 1%. Since the postwar period, the kimono has steadily faded from everyday life.
For example, in my mother's generation (now around 80 years old), it was common for women to study tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and sewing as part of bridal training. For a woman, entering a household with cultural refinement was once considered a minimum expectation for being considered a "good bride."
Although tea culture originally flourished within the male-dominated samurai culture, today, as a remnant of this history, around 80% of tea practitioners are women. At the same time, it is interesting that the heads of tea schools and their highest-ranking disciples are still predominantly men.
The tea ceremony continues to be passed on among practitioners as a form of cultural cultivation and mental and spiritual discipline, alongside other traditional arts and martial practices.
People often ask, "What do you actually do in practice? If it's just making tea, what is there to learn for years?"
Beyond the hundreds of variations of procedures and utensils, tea is fundamentally a journey of inner training—there is no end to it. (Read more in this article, "Beauty and Aesthetic Sensibility of Tea")
At its core, a tea gathering known as ochakai (お茶会) is a simplified version of a formal tea ceremony called chaji (茶事). In chaji, the host dedicates months preparing to welcome a single important guest and their companions. A full chaji lasts about four hours and includes a kaiseki meal (懐石料理) with sake, then main sweets and koicha (濃茶 - thick tea), followed by dry sweets and usucha (薄茶 - thin tea).
A tea gathering may be held for various reasons: to honor someone special, to showcase special utensils, or to celebrate a seasonal theme. These gatherings can vary in scale, from intimate settings with just a few guests to larger ones with dozens.
Tea gatherings are hosted not only by tea practitioners, but also by ceramic artists or other creators of tea utensils. While chaji centers on the formal serving of koicha, tea gatherings allow for more freedom, playfulness, and personal expression from the host, making them more approachable and enjoyable. For example, my own teacher once held a nostalgic "Showa-era" themed tea gathering, using a retro delivery box in place of a traditional traveling chest, and even placing a toy television in the alcove.
Although tea gatherings are often seen as formal events solely for experienced practitioners, in recent years, there have been increasing opportunities for beginners with no prior experience to participate. Even for someone born and raised in Japan, a first tea gathering experience can feel intimidating. It is helpful when the host explains simple etiquette and ways to enjoy the experience, thereby transforming passive participation into a deeper form of learning.
For international visitors, tea experiences are often advertised as "tea ceremony experiences" and can be booked in various cities. However, the quality of these experiences can vary significantly. If you wish to gain a true understanding of the Way of Tea or what a tea gathering really is, I encourage you to reach out to chacha maimai or to me directly when visiting Japan. We would be happy to suggest something tailored to your interests.
There are wonderful cafes around the world where you can enjoy matcha, and in Japan, many places, such as temple gardens, offer opportunities to enjoy tea and sweets in a stunning setting.
But if the opportunity arises, I encourage you to experience the essence of it all:
to walk the garden path, calm your mind, purify your hands, enter the tearoom, admire the alcove, sit on tatami, handle the utensils, and open all five senses to receive and share the moment fully. Through such an experience, I believe your relationship with tea and its role in your daily life will take on a completely new depth.
As I write this from Tokyo, I envision a future where you and I are each hosting tea gatherings with our loved ones in different corners of the world. I look forward to the day we might share a moment of tea, perhaps in Tokyo, or even in California.
Written by:
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Miki Fujisaki, hibana to bloom founder, mindfulness tea facilitator/coach Website: https://www.hibana-to-bloom.com/ nstagram: @hibanatobloom / @mikiwisteria |
Miki was born in Osaka and began her journey in Urasenke Chado while working as a Japan Airlines cabin attendant. During her time in London, she planned and managed Japanese cafes ("Matcha" and "Cha no Ma"), and after her return to Japan, she oversaw international project planning.
To deepen her understanding of spaces and relationships where individuals coexist, illuminate, and nurture, Miki studied coaching and facilitation. Currently, she holds tea gatherings and coaching sessions for individuals and companies in tea rooms, offices, online, and overseas. Her work is centered around the theme of interbeing, cultivating a sense of interconnectedness, mindfulness, and "here-and-now."