Saturday, March 27, 2010

Terms Concerning the chanoyu Ideology


*Terms Concerning the chanoyu Ideology
SUKI(数寄) Aestheticism; then endearment of the poetic.
CHASUKI(茶数寄) Chanoyu aestheticism; to endear chanoyu as poetic activity.
WABISUKI(侘数寄) Chanoyu aestheticism based on the idea of WABI.
WABI(侘) The exquisite beauty to be discovered and appreciated in things that are simple and quiet
SABI(さび) Rust; sense of patina
SUKISHA(数寄者) Aesthete; particularly a chanoyu aesthete.

Friday, March 26, 2010

the nature of the implements

**the nature of the implements
For the connoisseurship of chadogu, the wabisuki concept is to be kept in mind. wabisuki implements possess or should possess the seven qualities described hereunder. They may be regarded as the qualities that determine their aura, as mentioned in the section above.
1. Asymmetry. Instead of being perfectly round or square, the article has a dent, is warped, or is somehow otherwise asymmetrical. Distaste for such qualities as perfect, prim, punctilious.

2. Simplicity. Being plain and simple. Distaste for such qualities as precision, complexity, clever fine work.

3. Tall and withered. A presence like a leafless tree standing in the snow; not totally withered, but evoking the sense that when spring arrives it will sprout buds. Distaste for such qualities as rich, flowery, young.

4. Naturalness. Innocence and non-worldliness; freedom from device This is not the same as being like nature in the wild, but means distaste for artificiality, artifice, and affectation.

5. Subtlety and Profundity(yugen,幽玄). Modesty, lingering effect, nebulosity, suggestiveness. Distaste for overt expression

6. Non-vulgarity. Freedom from worldly fetters. distaste for worldly glory, riches, human entanglements.

7. serenity. Quietude, composure, solitude. Distaste for busyness, bustle, turmoil, and the like.

Besides the matters of form, balance, and aura, the above qualities are important standards in selecting chadogu. We may also say that implements that have these qualities can be regarded as good wabisuki implements. However, not all chanoyu implements necessarily possess all seven of these qualities equally. sometimes, some of the qualities are strong, while the others are weak.

Also,even though these qualities were the basis for connoisseurship, because there was a broadened interpretation of them after the 17th century, art works and crafts that do not necessarily fit into these descriptions came to be taken up as chadogu. Therefore, chanoyu art became complex and, in a way, hard to understand. Nonetheless, the standards of chanoyu art lie in the work's form, balance, and aura, and the above-listed qualities characterize them.
* The distinctive features of chanoyu objects of art
'Chanoyu objects of art' constitute one genre of Japanese art, and within this genre, there are many types of art, including writings and paintings, crafts, and so on. Also, in that each of the articles well expresses some characteristic of Japanese art, it is possible to view chanoyu as representative of 'Japaneses art'. We may also consider that the artistic sense found in chanoyu influenced many field of Japanese art. This influence, however, was not of equal measure across all field of crafts and especially pottery.
Also, chanoyu not only has its artistic quality. One characteristic of it is that its artistic quality is just one element of it. Chanoyu can not be considered on the basis of standards of art, especially Western standards of art. Looking at chanoyu and its relation to Japanese art, it is possible to point out as follows:
1. chanoyu was established later than Japanese art
In chanoyu, the tea drinking method that entered the country in the early 13th century was established as an art form in the16th century because, therefore, it was later in developing than such arts as painting, sculpture, architecture,literature, or music, it was influenced by them.
2. The wellspring of the chanoyu aesthetic sense
The chanoyu aesthetic sense, based on the wabisuki ideal, denied overt decorativeness and pursued the spiritual. However, after the 17th century, it accepted Chinese art objects that it had once eliminated, and also accepted newly recognized Japanese craft products, and we thus have a mixture of works not necessarily based solely on the standard of the wbisuki idea.
3. the incorporation of natural phenomenon and literary works
Many works incorporated in chanoyu are on themes from nature, or literary themes, and there are many that were given MEI(銘,a poetic appellation or proper name). Therefore, by learning chanoyu one becomes attuned to the Japanese view of nature and gains education from literature.
4. the importance of balance between the parctical and other considerations concerning chanoyu implements
When taking up articles as chanoyu implements, one asks oneself what the item is to be used for and if it is suitable for that purpose. In other words, keyed to the choice is the consideration of the item's use. Consequently, one would not use something chosen as a tea bowl as a receptacle for waste-water(kensui,建水). At the sme time, not only is there consideration given toward whether the item wil harmonize with the other implements , but also, the selective eye is focused on its harmony within the tea room, tea making, and purpose of the tea gathering.
5. the spread of the chanoyu aesthetic
Because chanoyu implements were bought and sold at high prices, their makers created them according to the tastes of the people involved. In other words, the chanoyu aesthetic was clearly in mind. Therefore, the chanoyu aesthetic has inevitably influenced general crafts to some extent.
6. the unique standards of value in chanoyu
The crafts from around the world, and across many fields, that have been taken up in chanoyu have not necessarily been the most splendid articles in terms of artistic quality or craftsmanship. Since they always were chosen from the viewpoint of the aesthetic of wabisuki, they consequently were not chosen because they were the most splendid works of that country or in that field,but rather , because they represented the wabisuki aesthetic. therefore. within the realm of Japanese art, there is the tendency to consider chanoyu art as something unique.
7. Importance placed on past transmission
Furthermore, for chadogu, attention is given to who owned the piece, where it was preserved, and so forth regarding its history. In fact, such matters may be considered more important than the piece's artistic or technical qualities. The sense of respect toward the person who originally owned the piece has probably altered the value of the piece, providing added value that falls under the factor called its 'transmission.'


Thursday, March 25, 2010

chanoyu objects of art are uniquely japanese and

**chanoyu objects of art are uniquely japanese and are valued in a special way

* the particular characteristics of chanoyu implements
A long process was involved for the ideology underlying chanoyu to become refined, but finally the concept of wabisuki was reached, and chanoyu based on wabisuki was judged to be the epitome. Consequently, we may say that the beauty of chanoyu consists in the concretization of the wabisuki concept. let us then inquire into just what the beauty of wabisuki is.
Looking at the chadogu that have come down to present times, the following characteristics may be pointed out:
1. Variety: they are basically chosen according to the wabisuki concept

the interpretation of wabisuki, and how it has been evaluated, has differed quite a bit depending upon the era and the person, and so it is impossible to theorize about it in a single breath, although it inevitably is based on the wabisuki concept. Concretely, there is a mixture of implements centering on Chinese karamono that were used to decorate kaisho(会所) gathering places, wabi implements based on the wabisuki concept, konominono(好み物,favored items) and handmade(手造り) items which mainly arose due to the establishment of the IEMOTO sysytem, and new chadog centering on European products selected by morden sukisha.
2. Practicality. They are usable for chanoyu.

Of importance are its form(nari,なり), balance(koro,ころ), and aura(yosu,ようす), and if the article does not qualify in these respects, it is not taken up. The item itself has to be of proper weight and balance, and it must not destroy the harmony among the other chadogu.

3. symbolism. Within the simple shapes and colors, there is a spiritual quality

Elaborate decoration, colors painted into the piece, overly prim shapes, and so forth are avoided, while simplicity and calmness and quietness are valued. Effort is placed on giving meaning to the qualities in and existence of those features.

* The standards of selection
At the root of wabisuki, there is the ZEN ideology and the spirit of waka, as previously explained. In thinking about the concrete standards applied when selecting chadogu, it becomes clear that the following three keywords have been important.
1. Form(nari). this means the shape itself and overall silhouette. the kanji used to write the term nari is that for 'shape,形'. this , therefore, concerns the outer appearance of the implement. Every implement has its own particular purpose, and of first importance is that the shape suits that the shape suits that purpose. For example, if it is a vessel for water, it must be shaped so that it is stable and will not tip over. Furthermore, it needs to match the nature of wabisuki beauty, as will be described next. For instance, we may say that it should not be elaborately shaped, but have a clean, simple form.

2. Balance(koro) This has to do with its size and distribution. The KANJI used to write the term koro is that for 'ratio,比' . The idea may also be referred to as koroai, or 'suitable match'. Firstly, about the size, if it is a tea bowl then it needs to fit neatly in a person's cupped hands. Also, it is not good if it is surprisingly heavy when one picks it up, or if it is too light. The matter of ratio, for instance in the case of a container for tea powder for thick tea(chaire), would mean that the mouth needs to be size that allows the tea scoop to be inserted easily, while if the mouth is strangely large, the container will not be acceptable. It is also important that the diameter of the mouth, that of the body, as well as that of the bottom must be of a comfortable ratio.
Almost all the famous chadogu from the past fit within a certain parameter insofar as this ratio is involved. Also, it is not just the one item that is considered; its balance and harmony with the other implements is important. Care must be taken so that just one item is not outstandingly large or small. Harmony is important for chadogu.

3. Aura(yosu) The kanji for yosu is 様子, which stands for 'state', among other meaning. Each work possesses its own aura. Works that subtly present an aura that is in keeping with the beauty of chanoyu, as described next, are recognized, while those that present a fussy aura, gaudy aura, or an aura of being too prim are avoid.


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

wabisuki and wabi-sabi

*wabisuki and wabi-sabi
It is not an overstatement to say that chanoyu at the end of the16th century was nearly dominated by wabisuki. However, with the death of the man who we may consider to have been its main leader, SEN no RIKYU, this began to change. As described previously in the post about the chanoyu history, entering the 17th century many unique tea masters appeared on the scene, each innovating and promoting his own style of chanoyu, and so we could say that this was an era of development for wabisuki. however, entering the 18th century it appears that wabisuki had changed in its very quality.

Specifically, in documents about chanoyu written around this time, at first we can find some usage of the term wabisuki, but gradually the usage becomes divided into wabi and suki. To explain more clearly, at first wabi is used to imply something very close to the original meaning of wabisuki, but soon it comes to imply something quite different from the wabisuki described in last post above; something inferring chanoyu that does not have any splendid implements. The word suki comes to simply mean chanoyu, and so the combination sukisha(数寄者) means chanoyu person and sukiya(数寄屋) means chashitsu in those documents.

Wabisuki initially was understood as a certain ideal form of chanoyu. However, because of its strict content or the difficult process required to reach the realm that was its goal, people lost interest in it. The consequence of this is revealed in the change of vocabulary we find in the chanoyu documents. Although around the beginning of the 17th century the word wabi was used with the same meaning as wabisuki, in time the term wabi person/people(wabibito), though it might have shown a measure of respect, actually came to ring of the sense that they were looked upon as heathenish beings.

Nowadays it is so common to use the terms wabi-sabi when speaking about chanoyu, almost as if these are set epithets for it, but as can be realized from the explanations given thus far, the root of the chanoyu ideal lies in wabisuki, and even though wabi is a close term, it actually only indicates one facet of chanoyu. The term sabi(rust,sense of patina) actually was never used much in chanoyu. Even if it were used, it would not be used like the words wabisuki or wabi, to talk about the ideology of chanoyu itself or matters related to it. Sabi, rather, it a term used most often to explain about the beauty in wabisuki- wabi-style chanoyu. moreover, it may be said that wabi was a term holding important meaning in literature,such as haiku(俳句)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

From poetic Pursuit to zen

**From poetic Pursuit to zen

3.Wabisuki
Chasuki evolved into chanoyu once its three facts of chashitsu, temae, and chadogu were developed. Together with this, however, another idea that boosted the development of chasuki was the awakening of the notion of wabisuki. This , again, may be divided into four concepts:
(1) The same concept as the devotion demanded in utasuki (執心)
(2) to engage in zen training (禅)
(3) to study waka and understand its essence (和歌)
(4) to be able to select implements qualified for wabisuiki (目聞)
Concerning the second point, ZEN, in utasuki the Buddhist path did not necessarily mean ZEN; however, in wabisuki it was clearly identified that this path must be that of Zen. One reason behind this was that RIKYU and the others of this era who presumably contributed to the development of the wabisuki idea inevitably studied Zen. More to the point, however, is that chanoyu devotees considered that the Buddhist path necessary for wabisuki was Zen. Supposedly, this was because they considered that Zen(not implying the school of Buddhism called ZEN) put its finger on how humans should be, and indicated a concrete method, ZAZEN(座禅,seated meditation), for reaching that way of being. Hence, the chanoyu that those individuals developed was not simply a way of making and drinking tea called chanoyu(in modern terms, chanoyu as an art or as a performance). What they aimed for was to reach the ZEN realm by having those who practiced it practice seated meditation. This is the wellspring of the later description of chanoyu as 'Tea and Zen, the same flavor'(chazen ichimi,茶禅一味) or 'Tea is at once ZEN'(cha soku zen,茶即禅).
Like the 'chill and lean'(冷え痩せ?) of chasuki, waka in wabisuki implies that the ideology underlying waka(classical Japanese poetry) and renga(collaborative verse-linking) is essential to it. With chasuki, the phrase 'chill and lean' included the idea of the Buddhist path, whereas in wabisuki, the Buddhist path and specifically ZEN stood independently as its foundation, and it was reasoned that, on top of this, the ideology that waka and renga realized was essential tochanoyu as well. The aim of Zen, by and large, was to cultivate the chanoyu practitioner as a human being and lead the person to a certain condition of self-realization, while there was in waka not only the 'chill and lean' ideology but the poetic spirit itself, which was considered necessary to cultivate the nature and manner of chanoyu in order for it to achieve a superb presence.
The 'choise of imlements' of chasuki and the 'connoisseur-ship' of wabisuki are similar, but in the latter, the selection of implements was based on the ideas of wabisuki, and this was judged by a strict criterion. Consequently, many Chinese imports(KARAMONO) left the field of chadogu, and domestic items(wamono),Korean items8KORAIMONO), and also imports from Southeast Asia and other areas(nanbanmono) were newly taken up as chadogu for wabisuki. The selection of implements in chasuki was roughly a matter concerning the two opposite poles of Chinese imports and domestic items, but the basis for connoisseurship was the wabisuki ideas, and also it may be said that importance was placed on the overall harmony of all the implements rather than judging each for its independent worthy qualities.
The above four points each characterize and represent the elements that were necessary for the realization of wabisuki. Devotion meant chanoyu training, Zen meant personal training as a human being, waka meant the presence that chanoyu possessed, and connoisseurship meant the selection and harmony of the implements.
These elements are not equal in level or ratio. We might think of them as positioned as follow: at the foundation is devotion, Zen rests on top of this, above that rests waka, and at the very top is connoisseurship.

Monday, March 22, 2010

chanoyu is a matter of wabisuki

**chanoyu is a matter of wabisuki

*From poetic pursuit to zen-flavored wabi pursuit
There was a long course of events leading to the establishment of chanoyu, and since its establishment chanoyu has changed in many ways. With its establishment, however, certain ideas were formed that supported its practice. Hereunder is an explanation of how the ideas developed, and what they were.
from the historical perspective, before the establishment in chanoyu of the idea of wabisuki(詫数寄,chanoyu rooted in the aestheticism of wabi), the idea of suiki(数寄,aestheticism) was recognized in the realm of Japanese poetry(waka), and supposedly it was through this influence that the idea of chasuki(茶数寄,chanoyu aestheticism) evolved. Furthermore, Zen ideas were adopted into chanoyu, and with these developments the wabisuki idea was established.
1. Utasuki(歌数寄)
From the HEIAN period into the KAMAKURA(9th-13th century),people involved in composing WAKA(和歌,traditional Japanese poetic form consisting of 31 syllables) experimented with many ideas. The great master of the WAKA poetic form, FUJIWARA no SADAIE(藤原定家,a.k.a FUJIWARA no TEIKA; 1162-1241), consolidated these into a theory. Entering the MUROMACHI period, however,the poetry composition style called RENGA(collaborative verse-linking) became popular. Rather than individual poets composing a poem each and vying against each other for superiority, the poems were separated into two sections- an opening verse and closing verse - and numerous poets would participate in composing verse- and numerous poets would participate in composing linked poems. Through this development, the WAKA theory of SADAIE was carried forward by the masters of RENGA. The conclusion reached by those RENGA masters as to what thy could describe as their concept of UTASUKU(poetic aestheticism) was fourfold:
(1) Poetry composition as a lifelong pursuit (執心)
(2) belief in Buddhism, and pursuit of the Buddhist teachings (仏道)
(3) leaving the world of mundane affairs and living in seclusion in a quiet place in the mountains (遁世)
(4) learning from excellent poems of the past. people referred to those who devoted themselves to RENGA as UTASUKi, and the RENGA get-togethers also came to be called UTASUKI. (秀歌)

2. Chasuki(茶数寄)
Besides the world of poetry, in the 14th century TOCHA(闘茶) 'tea competitions' were the rage, but by the 15th century they went out of fashion and, instead, tea get-togethers called chasuki became popular, as described in a previous pages.At these chasuki, there was not the gambling and drinking of the TOCHA parties; rather, it seems that tea drinking acted as an occasion wherein the participants aimed to reach a deeper, spiritual realm. It was probably for this purpose that procedure for making the tea(teame) were created, and the implements which were to be used for this developed. A number of documents reveal that it was important to select articles appropriate for chasuki out of the domestic articles that might be found anywhere, as opposed to using expensive imports from China. According to documents written in the16th century, the following four points were considered important for chasuki:

(1) To engage in one's tea practice as one's lifework (覚悟)

(2) originality in one's tea practice, and people's recognition of one's accomplishments (作分と手柄)

(3) to reach the 'Chill'(hie) and 'lean'(yase) state proposed in renga (冷え痩せ)

(4) select implements appropriate for chanoyu (道具の選択)

Although not included among the above-mentioned four points, the Buddhist path also was of course considered important. this element, the Buddhist path, is accommodated in point4 above, the notion of 'chill and learn', and is essential to that state.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The Distinctive features and function of the ROJI

*The Distinctive features and function of the ROJI


1. It is small. Most ROJI are quite small, being about 200-300m^2 (60-90 tsubo)at most, and there are rarely any exceeding 1000m^2. At temples and such where there is a chashitsu in one corner of a large garden, the portion there will be fenced off and made into the ROJI for the chashitsu.

2. Low shrubbery and nonflowering trees are planted. Trees that are too tall shut out the sunlight and therefore are not preferred. Flowers are displayed inside the chashitsu, and in order for those to be given the highlight, flowing plants are avoided in the ROJI. Also, in humid regions such as KYOTO, many varieties of moss grow on the ground, which makes for a beautiful scene.
3. A place for the guests to meet. A small structure called machiai(waiting place) is built in the ROJI. The invited guests wait here for everyone in the invited party to assemble. After a while, the host comes for them and they follow his directions and proceed to the chashitsu.
4. A path leading into an extraordinary, non-worldly space. A chashitsu is a space removed from ordinary daily life, and the ROJI considered as a path leading to it. Therefore, daily wordly items such as abacuses in the old days and cellular phone in present times are to be left outside and not brought in, and also, one should not enter wearing regular daily attire. Before entering the ROJI, such items should be deposited somewhere appropriate, and one should change into appropriate clothing.
Then, in the ROJI, the guests ready themselves mentally for entering the non- worldly space of the chashitsu.
5. A place to purify the body. At the tsukubai(low stone water-basin) set near the entrance way to the chashitsu, the guests rinse their hands and mouth, and thereby purify themselves physically. This is not for sanitation, to wash away germs, but is a symbolic act.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

the Distinctive Features and function of the chashitsu

*the Distinctive Features and function of the chashitsu

1. the chashitsu is an exclusive space for chanoyu. Before the establishment of chanoyu, a common room was used not only for tea parties but also verse-linking parties and incense parties. However, with the establishment of chanoyu, an exclusive room for it was constructed.
2. chashitsu have a place to do temae, a display place, and a place to engage in appreciation. The place for doing temae is referred to as the temaeza. The host sits at this spot and performs the temae. A temae is performed while sitting, and so a space of 1 m^2 is required. The place where the temae is performed is near the host's entrance way, and the layout of the chashitsu decides its location.
The display place mainly is the TOKUNOMA. Usually the items displayed here are a hanging scroll(KAKEMONO; KAKEJIKU), flower container(HANAIRE), and incense burner(香炉,KORO) or incense container(香合,KOGO). In days of old, it was not uncommon for the caddy containing powered tea(茶入れ,chaire) or jar containing leaf tea (茶壷,chatsubo) to be displayed, but there are only displayed here at certain special times nowadays.
The chashitsu generally is a place for appreciating things. Sitting at their seats, the guests appreciate the TOKONOMA display., the host's temae, and the implements used. They sometimes move in front of the TOKONOMA or in front of the RO for a closer view.
The place for the appreciation of objects depends upon the size of the chashitsu; the larger the place for appreciation, and relative to this, the more guests that can be seated in the room. One TATAMI can seat from two to three people. However, even if the chashitsu is large, the guests only sit on the TATAMI around the perimeter, without sitting on the TATAMI in the middle of the room. 3. While the chashitsu serves the functions just described(2 above), and it also pursues the ideal of being as small as possible, various devices are employed so that it does not seem small or cramped.
The smallest chashitsu is only somewhat less than two TATAMI in floor space(about 3m^2). Even so, by having many windows, variation in the ceiling treatment, and so forth, it has a surprisingly comfortable feeling.
A chashitsu that is YOJOHAN, or 4.5 TATAMI in floor space, is considered the most fundamental size. If it is larger, it is categorized as HIROMA(広間,spacious room).
4. The degree of brightness in a chashittsu, as well as the direction of the light and position of the light source is minutely calculated.
The earliest chashittsu had their openings in the north side. It is said that this is because the change in light entering the room due to the movement of the sun is relatively minimal on the north side After this developmental stage in the history of the chashitus, the guest's entrance way was made small, and many windows were built into the room, and so the direction of the chashitsu ceased to be such an issue. However, the placement of the windows was still decided after giving sufficient thought to the effect of how the light would enter the room.
At night, such lighting equipment as a TANKEi(短敬木 a device in which a wick is burned using rapeseed oil) or portable candle(手燭) holder are employed. It is placed between the host and the guests, and the light source is about at the eye level of the seated people.
5. Traditionally, the designing of the chashitsu was not left to a professional architectural designer. Rather, the chajin(devoted chanoyu person) personally designed the chashitsu so that he might realize his personal conception of chanoyu. Such chanoyu devotees not only drew up ground plans, but thought up the idea of making three-dimensional standing fold-out plants called OKOSHIEZU(起し絵図), the CHAJIN(茶人) could communicate his ideas and realize the kind of Chanoyu that was his ideal.

Friday, March 19, 2010

The architectural space called chashitsu and

**The architectural space called chashitsu and garden called ROJI(露地)



*The constituent elements of the chashitsu and ROJI

Chanoyu in formal style requires the exclusive space of a chashitsu(tea room). Attendant to this chashitsu is a garden called ORJI. The architectural form called chashitsu may roughly be categorized as a kind of traditional Japanese building, but it has various characteristics that set it apart from the usual form of traditional Japanese building.

Firstly, on initial look form the outside it appears humble. In truth, however, extremely fine considerations are involved, and it definitely is not a humble building. Let us examine its overall construction by first taking a look at the constituent elements of the chashitsu and ROJI. 1. The constituents of the chashitsu
The roof: Making use of wood and thatch, it evokes a rustic atmosphere.

The ceiling: To alleviate any sense of constriction within the room, the ceiling is not built as one flat surface but may change level, type of material, and so on. Sometimes a part of the underside of the roof is revealed, and in such cases the wood used is carefully selected so that it presents a beautiful appearance.

The walls, windows,and pillars: The walls are earthen, giving a soft effect. The windows are not only designed to let sunlight into the room, but also work to produce a sense of expansiveness in the small chashitsu. As for the pillars, the room is basically constructed so that they are not visible,and even when they are visible they are inconspicuous. However, in certain circumstances a pillar that is not perfectly straight may be raised in a spot near the room and thereby making the small chashitsu seem more expansive.

The entrance ways: The doorway for the guests is separate from that for the host. The doorway called NIJIRIGUCHI(躙口,crawl through doorway) that is for the guests is so small that one must bend down in order to pass through. A reason given for this design is that it forces anyone who enters through it to bow, no matter how illustrious that person may be. For the host, sometimes there are two doorways. In such cases, one is for use when doing the tea making, and the other is for use when bringing in the meal items. The doorways effectively add an impression of roominess to the small space.

The floor and RO(hearth built into the door): Tatami cover the floor, and a RO(炉) is built into one section. The Ro is a place where ash and charcoal fire are laid, and in olden times there were ones about 60 cm. square. now, however, the size is set at about 40cm. square. A wooden frame called ROGUCHI(炉縁) is inserted around the Ro, and often it has a urushi(漆, Japanese lacquer) finish. It effectively gives the chasitsu accent.

The tokonoma: This is a display place, and extends out from a part of the chashitsu. Normally it is about 120cm. From side to side and 60cm, from front to back. The location in the room depends upon the layout of the chashitsu.

The mizuya(preparation room): This is a room for conducting the preparations for the chanoyu and temporarily housing the chadogu that are to be used. A chashitsu generally has such a room built onto it. No matter the size of the chashitsu, the standard size of the mizuya is bout 5m^2. Once the host has completed the preparations, he waits here for the guests to enter the chashitus, and once they have all assembled, he enters and begins the temae. When the chakai ends, the host sees the guests off and then cleans things up here in the mizuya. As water is needed to wash the chadogu, usually there is a water faucet in the mizuya. If there is no running water, a vat for water is set in the room. Also, there are shelves for temporarily housing the chadogu. The chadogu most of the time are stored in a storehouse(蔵、kura) or similar storage place.
2. The constituents of the ROJI
Enteranceway and middle gate: The ROJ entrance way and 'middle gate'(中門,chumon) built midway in it are very simple in style, and there are many forms.
Machiai(waiting place): This is where the guests wait for each other, and generally is a simple roofed-over bench, but in some rare instances has a room attached, for changing clothing and so forth.
Setchin(雪隠,privy). In olden times the privy in the ROJI was for actual use, but now it is only a formal element of the ROJI. There is a privy for actual use near the chashitsu.
Stepping stones(飛石): These are stones set along the path in the garden, on which the guests walk. The stones and way they are arranged take many forms.
Foliage and moss(樹木・苔): The plants are low in height, and are of varieties that do not put on flowers. Moss, which deepens the greenness, also is an important element.
Toro(灯籠,stone lantern): These are devices for lighting the ROJI, and make use of candlelight. There maybe several of these in the ROJI. They are lit for nighttime chakai.
Tsubukubai(蹲,蹲踞,low stone water-basin): At the tsukubai, guests rinse their hands and mouth. A toro stands nearby, for lighting nighttime Chakai.
* The Distinctive Features and Function of the Chashitsu and ROji
Sitting in a chashitsu, one comes to feel calm and serene, and this owes to various ingenious devices designed into the chashitsu and ROJI. Hereunder is a description of the considerations and devices that are integral elements of them.






Thursday, March 18, 2010

The appreciation of chanoyu implements

*The appreciation of chanoyu implements
Chadogu, or chanoyu implements, of course are implements for the making of tea, but in chanoyu the act of appreciating them is also important. Let us each imagine, for example, that we have come to a tea gathering as a guest. The first thing each of us does is to sit in front of the alcove and appreciate the items displayed there: the hanging scroll and/or flowers, and the incense container if one should be on display there. This gesture is called HAIKEN(拝見), which literally means 'to respectfully have a good look'. Next we each move to the place where the TEMAE place(点前座TEMAEZA), and do HAIKEN of the items there.
Once the host enters and the TEMAE begins, after drinking the tea we do HAIKEN of the tea bowl that has been used to make our tea. Furthermore, after the tea drinking by all of us has finished, we do HAIKEN of the tea scoop, caddy for powdered thin tea, and so on that were used to make the tea, and our spokesperson asks the host who made the tea scoop and what name the tea scoop has, and also who made the tea caddy and the name of the manufacturer of the powdered tea contained in it.
When doing HAIKEN of chanoyu articles, we look at the piece's form, balance, aura,and so forth, which are the aspects which recommended it for being selected. How to look at chadogu with an artistic eye will be explained in a later chapter.
* The tea room and garden, and the aesthetics of the tea implements
Formal chanoyu requires a special space called a chashitsu and a garden callde a ROJI. Both the chashitsu and ROJI incorporate numerous ingenious innovations within a limited physical space. Photographs depicting their appearance are presented later. In addition, special implements are required for the tea preparation procedures(TEMAE) of chanoyu. These implements are chosen according to criteria of the wabisuki aesthetic sensibility, which has evolved throughout the history of chanoyu and is rich in variety. A summary of the wabisuki aesthetic will presented later.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

the content of a kaiseki meal

*the content of a kaiseki meal
1. boiled rice
2. soup with one or two ingredients
3. sashimi, or raw seafood
4. combined dish of vegetables mixed with flavorings
5. simmered vegetables and seafood
6. broiled vegetables, seafood or poultry
7. seafood and vegetables pickled in salt or dried *The characteristics of kaiseki cuisine
1. fish, shellfish, and poultry are used, but beef and pork are not
2. the main and side ingredients are mostly items that evince the season.
3. the way the flavorings and seasonings are used brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients
4. For the same reason as point 3 above, the flavoring is relatively light.
5. There are few pan-fried and deep-fried food; rather, broiled and simmered foods predominate
6. The way the foods are dished is attractive, giving though to the arrangement of the foods and the dish itself.
7. There are numerous foods, but none in great amount
8. SAKE(rice wine) is served, and those who like it may drink so far as they do not get drunk
@ The rice, soup, and sashimi served at the beginning. The chopsticks,made of cedar, are called RIKYU-BASHI(利休箸)
@ Preserved foods, they are serve as tidbits to go with SAKE.
** The use of many kinds and style of implements
*implements necessary for chanoyu
Many implements are necessary in order to make tea and serve it to a guest according to the temae procedures of chanoyu, and those implements are made of various materials and come from different places. Firstly, here is a list of the main types and materials of these implements.
1. Items to decorate the alcove
Hangings(掛軸) - hanging scrolls featuring paintings or calligraphy
Flower containers(花入) - ceramics, metal,wood,bamboo,basketry
Incense containers(香合) - ceramics, lacquerware,etc
2. Temae implements
Furo(風炉,brazier for the charcoal fire over which to set the kettle) - Metal,earthenware
Kettle(釜) - Metal(iron)
Hearth frame(炉縁,frame around the RO fire pit) - Wood or bamboo, lacquer ware
Portable shelving(棚,shelving on which some of the implements are displayed) - Wood or bamboo
Water container(水指) -Metal, ceramic, wood,glass
Container for tea powder for KOICHA(茶入,CHAIRE) - Ceramic
Container for tea powder for usuha(棗,NATSUME) - Lacquer ware
Tea bowl(茶碗,bowl in which the tea is made and from which it is drunk) - Ceramic, glass, etc.
Tea scoop(茶杓) - bamboo, wood,ivory
Tea whisk(茶筅) - bamboo
Water ladle(柄杓,to scoop the hot or cold water) - bamboo
Lid rest(蓋置,for resting the kettle lid on) - Metal, ceramic,wood, bamboo
Rinse(建水)-water receptacle - Metal, ceramic,wood,bamboo
Charcoal implements(炭道具,articles for the charcoal-laying temae)- Metal, ceramic,wood,bamboo,basketry,feathers
Smoking set(煙草盆), including Japanese smoking pipe(kiseru),lighter container, and ash receptacle-Metal, ceramic,wood,bamboo,lacquer ware
Container for confections(菓子器) - Ceramics,lacquer ware,wood,bamboo
When preparing to hold a formal chanoyu gathering, it is also necessary to have the implements that are required for the cuisine and for the ROJI(露地,garden path).
As we can see, the chadogu are wide-ranging. They are selected according to the reason and the purpose of the gathering, and also so that they balance harmoniously. This coordination of the implements is called 'dogugumi'(道具組み), and it is among the things that the host of a chakai gives greatest thought to.
* The places where chanoyu implements come from
In that the method of drinking matcha entered Japan from song-dynasty China, the implements used for it, such as the tea bowls from which to drink it, at first were of Chinese origin. Japan in those days took the advanced nation of China as its model, and Japanese people esteemed the products imported from that country, referring to them as KARAMONO(TANG items). The MUROMACHI shogun family eagerly bought many KARAMONO,hung such imported paintings and displayed Chinese vases and incense burners and such on the shelves and so forth. Chanoyu implements from China also were considered the best.

As chanoyu developed, however, the sense of values changed dramatically. It became necessary for the chadogu to meet the ideals of wabisuki(侘数寄), and consequently domestic items(called wamono), thsubtly colored ceramics made on the Korean peninsula(koraimono), and miscellaneous items from southeast Asia(nanbanmono) were looked upon with new value.
Such implements have been carefully passed on to this day in chanoyu, and currently there are eight example of karamono ceramics( five of which are tea bowls) and one koraimono tea bowl that are registered as national treasures in Japan.
Entering the 17th century, pottery began to be produced in many parts of Japan, including wares for chanoyu. the main potteries include, among others, KAratsu(唐津焼) ware of Saga prefecture in Kyushu, Hagi(萩焼) ware of YAMAGUCHI prefecture, BIZEN(備前焼) ware of OKAYAMA prefecture, Kyoto ware of Kyoto, ShiGARAKI(信楽焼) ware of SHIGA prefecture, SETO(瀬戸焼) ware of AICHI prefecture, and MINO(美濃焼) ware of Gifu prefecture. Also, the RAKU(楽家) family of kyoto produced RAKu tea bowls especially for chanoyu use, and this continues to the present day.
As indicated above, chanoyu implements are not limited to ceramics, but include many items made of lacquer ware, metal, bamboo, and so on. The production of chadogu without a doubt propelled the development of a great range of Japanese crafts.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A formal chaonoyu gathering includes a meal

**A formal chaonoyu gathering includes a meal

* chanoyu cuisine, which has influenced Japanese cuisine
The food courses served at restaurants that specialize in traditional Japanese cuisine today were historically inspired by the cuisine of chanoyu. Besides such restaurant food, Japanese home cooking in general has also been inspired to some degree by the cuisine of chanoyu. The reason for this is that the basis of Japanese cuisine as we know it today was established after the 18th century, and chanoyu cuisine developed before this.
Today, the cuisine of chanoyu is referred to as kaiseki ryouri, but this is a relatively modern term for it which became popular from the last 18th century. Before then, it apparently was usually called FURUMAI(振舞,entertainment) or SHITATE(仕立,b fixing).

KAISEKI RYOURI developed under the influences of the cuisine listed hereunder, among which the most powerful influenced the restaurant cuisine of the EDO period, on the other hand it was also influenced by that cuisine.
1. Banquet (array of foods) cuisine(大響料理)
This style of cuisine originated as a meal offered to the gods in the native SHINTO religion, and became the formal meal style of the aristocrats from around the 8th or 9th century.
2.Full-course dinner(本膳料理)
Around the 14th century, this style of meal was developed as the formal cuisine of the ruling warrior class. It consisted of seven, five, and three varieties of dishes served on three individual footed food trays.
3.TOKI(斎)
This is the name for the meal served at Buddhist ceremonies. There were minute rules for how to eat the TOKI when this form of Buddhist meal was introduced to Japan in the 12th century, although the content of the rules was not set, and it changed according to the circumstances. Chanoyu mainly adopted the TOKI meal style.
4. NANBAN cuisine(南蛮料理)
This is generally thought of as the European cuisine introduced by missionaries in the 16th century. However, it is not purely Portuguese cuisine but many be considered a conglomeration of food styles from the places through which the missionaries traveled, including India, Southeast Asia, and China.
The KAISEKI RYOURI served at traditional Japanese restaurants today in very similar to the cuisine of chanoyu, but is not identical, and this is because it caters to the wishes of clients. Nonetheless, the traditional of Japanese cuisine, the model form of which is chanoyu cuisine, has been preserved.
Recently, there is the buzzword 'slow food'(as opposed to 'fast food'), and the fundamental idea behind this kind of food is similar to the idea underlying traditional Japanese cuisine, as represented by chanoyu cuisine. Traditional Japanese cuisine is being reevaluated as a leading style of cuisine in tune with the times today.

Monday, March 15, 2010

the characteristics of temae

*the characteristics of temae
1. Flow and pause
the temae is not performed from beginning to end at a monotonous pace. Some points are performed quickly, there are momentary pauses, and so forth to give it modulation.

2. Symbolic nature
There are processes in the temae that are not utilitarian; for example the tines of the tea whisk actually have been checked in the preparation room beforehand, but they are checked once again in view of the guests in the chasentoshi(茶筅通し) process. Sanitation is held high in chanoyu, and such gestures contain a symbolic expression of this.
3. Physical grace
In that the temae is a form of performance art, an important concern is to achieve gracefulness in the series of movements and one's posture is carrying them out.

4. Inseparability of performer and audience
Chanoyu sometimes is described as ' a script-less performace'. It is not, however, a stage art. Rather, the performer(host) and audience(guests) sit on the same platform(chashitsu), and together create the chakai. There is not pre-defined script. The host and guests converse and act according to the circumstances.

5. Successfully building the performance
Through the agency of the temae, the host and guests together eat and drink and share in conversation, and thus create a special, shared atmosphere within the space of the tea room. This is the meaning of 'successfully building the performance'(ichiza konryu,一座建立). To realize this requires serious training on the part of both the host and guests.

6. A singular moment, a singular meeting
Within the grand expanse of time and space, the meeting of all elements realized by host and guests here and now is never repeatable, even if sometime in the future, at the same time of day in the year, the same people were to have a tea gathering at the same place. This 'unrepeatable quality of the moment' is the meaning of 'a singular moment, a singular meeting' (ichigo ichie 一期一会).

Sunday, March 14, 2010

the progression of a formal chaji

**the progression of a formal chaji

the standard progression of a formal chanoyu gathering. or chaji, nowadays is as follows:
1. Charcoal-laying temae(first charcoal;SHOZUMI 初炭), the procedure for building the charcoal fire.
2. cuisine
3.confection(main confection; OMOGASHI 主菓子)
4. Intermission(NAKADACHI 中立)
5. koicha(濃茶)
6. Charcoal-laying temae(latter charcoal;GOZUMI 後炭), to repair the charcoal fire
7.confections(dry confections; HIGASHI 干菓子) and usucha(薄茶)
 Among these, only the cuisine is not a temae matter, and the reason probably is because the foods are not prepared before the guests' eyes. Rather, the host carries the foods into the room, having already prepared them and dished them out in the back preparation room. If, as with the SHIJO(四条) school of knife handling, the knife use and so forth were conducted before the guests' eyes, that could also be established as a temae. However, in chanoyu such a temae concerning the meal, where the foods would be prepared in view of the guests, was never incorporated, due in part to such factions as the place, facilities,and time considerations.
Before drinking the tea, a confection is always eaten. This is because the bitterness of the tea following the sweetness of the confection enhances the tastiness of the tea. the confection, that is served before the koicha at a chaji is called omogashi(main confection), and those served before the usucha are called higashi(dry confections). The higashi, just as the word suggests, are dry confections such as sugary candy or rice crackers, which are light in flavor. However, at mass gatherings it is common for OMOGASHI to be served even though the tea is usucha.

Chaji normally are held in the daytime. However, in mid-summer they may take place during the cool hours around daybreak, and in the winter, they may take place after dark. At a nightime chaji, candles and such lighting equipment are employed, and this makes for the enjoyment of an impressive atomosphere like days of old.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Doing temae and having a chanoyu gathering

**Doing temae and having a chanoyu gathering

*what is TEMAE?
A temae is a series of procedures followed to make a bowl of matcha, serve it to a guest, and then to put the things away. It may be said that one reason chanoyu is recognized as a form of art it that the extremely ordinary and instinctual act of taking food and drink was put into order as series of movements turned it into a KATA or 'model form'. Without the temae, chanoyu is but a mere act of taking food and drink.
The temae is comprised of a smooth, continuous process of many procedures, which include among other things the preparations, the inspection of the articles, the tea making, the cleaning of the articles, and the putting away of the articles. It is created as a performance art, having variation in the dynamics and pace of the movements.
with the rise of the IEMOTO systems, the temae, or in other words the KATA(model forms)passed on from the IEMOTO to disciples, came to be the element that provided the keynote of the system itself. Owing to the establishment of the IEMOTO system in chanoyu, the temae not only became systematic but also complex, Basically,however, any temae progresses as follows, with additional movements added depending on the type of temae that it is.
1. the host carries that implements, which have been readied in the preparation room(mizuya 水屋),into the tea room, where he then inspects them and puts them in proper condition for making a delicious bowl of tea.
2. the host mixes the powdered tea and hot water together in the tea bowl.
3. the host puts the tea bowl, containing the tea drink, out for the guests.
4. the guests receive it, drink the tea,and then return the bowl.
5. the host rinses the returned tea bowl and prepares it for making the next bowl of tea.
6. Once assured that no further tea is necessary, the host cleans up the items, putting them in their original condition, and carries them out of the tea room.
**the kinds of temae and forms of chanoyu gatherings
1.KOICHA(濃茶)and USUCHA(薄茶)
when we say 'a bowl of tea'(お茶一服,Ocha ippuku) today, we usually mean usucha(thin tea), wherein each individual serving is made in an individual bowl. On the other hand, KOICHA(thick tea) is made by putting a good amount of tea in a relatively large bowl,blending the tea with hot water, and having a number of guests share in drinking this.
The temae for koicha and usucha differ slightly. At a chaonoyu gathering, the formal system is to have koicha first, and afterward make usucha. Nowadays, the abbreviated style of chanoyu gathering in which only usucha is served has become common. Normally, a chanoyu gathering in which only koicha is served does not happen.
2.Furo(風炉) and Ro(炉)
In chanoyu nowadays, the device used for boiling the water is either a portable brazier, called FURO, or a fire pit built into the floor, called RO, depending on the season. The RO is similar to the kind of fire pit called IRORI(囲炉裏) seen in folk houses of old, and is used in the winter period (November through April). The FURO is a characoal brazier placed on the TATAMI. In May, the RO is covered and the FURO is put out. Due to their differences, the TEMAE changes somewhat, but we many consider the TEMAE as being essentially the same in purpose.
The levels of TEMAE give the impression that there are many varieties, but actually they all follow the basic steps outline in the section above,and the differences are a matter of the use of certain specific implements for the particular temae.
3.Formal and Abbreviated chanoyu gatherings
A formal chanoyu gathering is called chaji(茶事,tea function), and consists in koicha and usucha and also the charcoal-laying temae(炭手前,sumidemae) and cuisine. the charcoal-laying temae is a formalized method of arranging the charcoal in the FURO or RO and comprise a defined KATA. There are rules of etiquette for the cuisine, but the procedures and movements for this are not of the same nature as the temae.
An abbreviated chanoyu gathering may be int he form of a mass gathering or outdoor get-together, where koicha, the charcoal-laying temae, and the cuisine are eliminated and only sweets and usuhca are served. The number of guests at a formal gathering is limited to four or five at most, and the time that it takes is nearly four hours in the case of a most conventional function. However, today's common 'mass gathering" is over in about thirty minutes on the average. Dozens of guests re invited in at once, and this is repeated from five to about ten times during the day.
There also are the abbreviated styles of temae called RYUREI(立礼), which employs tables and chairs, and bonryaku-demae(盆略手前,simple tray temae), which was created for beginners. Such abbreviated forms of temae nonetheless basically follow the previously described pattern.

Rather than the type of temae, the key factor nowadays if the difference in the general scheme of the chanoyu gathering-whether it is a chaji or a mass gathering.