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Sen no Rikyu, the 16th-century tea master who perfected the Way of Tea,
said that the way of tea observes seven rules:
- Make a satisfying bowl of tea.
- Lay the charcoal so that the water boils efficiently.
- Provide a sense of warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer.
- Arrange the flowers as though they were in the field.
- Be ready ahead of time.
- Be prepared in case it should rain.
- Act with utmost consideration toward your guests.
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| Usucha Demonstration at Mi no Hi 2009 |
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- The beginning guest course is ten lessons long and costs $200.00 which includes a basic set of guest utensils. This course covers: how to be a guest, bowing, walking, sitting, elementary tea phrases, how to take sweets, how to drink tea, an introduction to tea aesthetics, and an introduction to other Japanese cultural arts through the tea ceremony. At the end of this course you will be able to play the role of a guest during a chakai (tea gathering) and be able to make a bowl of tea.
- The beginning guest course is followed by a ten lesson beginning host course. By the end of this course you will have learned the basics of the ryakubon temae. Ryakubon temae is traditionally the first procedure for serving as a host learned by students of tea.
- The beginning host course is followed by regular continuing study of tea using different utensils, room arrangements, and variations on the tea ceremony.
- Basic host utensils for use at home can be purchased online. These are in addition to the basic set of guest utensils. While students must acquire a set of guest utensils, host utensils are provided for use during class.
- You can start the beginning guest course pretty much any time.
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