Chadō - The Way of Tea

I've decided to study Japanese tea ceremony -  chanoyu (hot water for tea) or chadō, (the way of tea) - this year. Steeped in etiquette and aesthetics, this centuries-old tradition has evolved into an art form and has come to reflect the very essence of the Japanese culture. The spirit of chadō is based on four principles: wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility). Rooted in Zen Buddhism, the Japanese tea ceremony emphasizes modesty, simplicity, and a sense of spirituality.

Our school just built a new tea room, designed by our instructor (and tea master) Tami-san. It's a beautiful room, and stepping inside, you feel as though you've entered another world. Here are a few pictures I took during a student demonstration last week. 

I look forward to learning this art and a bit more of the Japanese culture. Classes begin September 8. In the meantime, I'm reading up on tea and chadō in Tea Ceremony by Shozo Sato; Tea: the Drink that Changed the World by Laura C. Martin; and The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo.