Sado

Tea ceremony, sado has roots that lead to it's inventor Murata Juko (1422-1502) who initiated it. It has then been developed by Sen-no Rikyu (1522-1591) who established much of the nowaday's teaceremony etiquette.

The actual tea enjoyed in tea ceremony is called maccha, a green foamy powder tea. Also a sweet cake called wagashi is served in the tea ceremony. The host selects and designs the interior well before inviting guests. She must choose the tea utensils, decorate tatami room with flowers and lay out her kimono for wearing it - kimono is the most common cloth weared in tea ceremony.

Visitors sit most of the time in seiza, this sometimes painfull position of sitting on one's legs. The actual tea drinking includes consideration of others and a silent, spiritual communication with the host. No direct looks are exchanged, but indeed a lot of bows. It is like participating a traditional play, everyone paying attention to the etiquette and a silent expression.

Sado has also a cousin, kodo, which is traditional fragrance ceremony.

See also, kimono, wagashi, ocha, omochi, kodo

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