Wabi-Sabi
The Japanese word, “wabi-sabi”, is often mentioned in connection with Chado. Rooted in traditional Japanese aesthetics, practitioners of “wabi-sabi” seek to find beauty by accepting the imperfections of life and by living in humble manner. Within a tranquil tea room, the focus involved in preparing a bowl of tea has a calming effect, and is also considered a path to self-spiritual awakening.
What is "Chado"
The Japanese word, “Chado”, literally means ‘the way of tea,’ and is commonly used in English to refer to traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Chado centers on the concept of the host and the guest spending a mutually heartwarming time together over a bowl of matcha tea. The host aims to serve the guest an unforgettably satisfying bowl of tea, and the guest responds with thankfulness. Both of them realize that the time shared can never be repeated; it is a ‘once in a lifetime’ occasion.
While primary visual representation of Chado remains the simple and sincere exchange of a bowl of tea between host and guest, the process of studying Chado requires an understanding of other areas of Japanese culture, including but not limited to, art, philosophy, religion, architecture, landscape, crafts, and cuisine.
Temae
Students of Chado learn “temae” which are the procedures of preparing and serving a bowl of tea while cherishing the seasonal tea utensils. Step-by-step, meaningful movements reflect the importance of each motion in offering warm hospitality in respectful manner.
Urasenke
Urasenke is the name of one of the main schools of Japanese tea ceremony. It is one of San-Senke (Three Sen Schools of Tea); the others are Omotesenke and Mushakojisenke. The San-Senke derived from Sen No Rikyu, (千利休1522 - April 21, 1591), who is considered the historical figure with the most profound influence on Chado, particularly the tradition of in “wabi,” which means quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste. He was also the first to emphasize several critical aspects of the tea ceremony, including rustic simplicity, directness of approach, and honesty of self.
Urasenke teaches students and the public in the promotion and understanding of Chado through activities such as lectures, demonstrations, and classes in tea procedures.
The head of Urasenke, or “Iemoto,” carries the hereditary name Sōshitsu. The present head of Urasenke is Zabōsai Genmoku Sōshitsu. He is a descendant of Rikyu and the 16th generation of the line.
