Customs and Traditions
Tea Ceremony
Tea plants didn't grow in Japan until the 8th centry when tea seeds were brought in from china during the Tang Dynasty.
It is the Ceremonial way of preparing tea.Tea ceremony is strong influenced by Zen Buddism. The tea ceremony is held in a room called 'chashitsu.' Tea ceremonies consisted of many rituals which had to be remembered off be heart. There are 3 courses in a tea ceremony : an apetizer, hashiarai and hossun. The host makes tea for the guests. At the end The host and guests silenty and respectfully bow and acknowledge each other
Tools for Tea Ceremony:
-Chakin, a small cloth used for wiping the tea bowl
-Tea bowl
-Tea caddy, used to put the powdered tea in
-Tea scoop, a small scoop generally made of bamboo
-Tea whisk, a small whisk made of bamboo used to mix the powdered tea with hot water
It is the Ceremonial way of preparing tea.Tea ceremony is strong influenced by Zen Buddism. The tea ceremony is held in a room called 'chashitsu.' Tea ceremonies consisted of many rituals which had to be remembered off be heart. There are 3 courses in a tea ceremony : an apetizer, hashiarai and hossun. The host makes tea for the guests. At the end The host and guests silenty and respectfully bow and acknowledge each other
Tools for Tea Ceremony:
-Chakin, a small cloth used for wiping the tea bowl
-Tea bowl
-Tea caddy, used to put the powdered tea in
-Tea scoop, a small scoop generally made of bamboo
-Tea whisk, a small whisk made of bamboo used to mix the powdered tea with hot water
Geishas
Many people think that Geishas offered prostitution, that is completely false, well in ancient Japan, they practised art,music,poetry and etiquette(unlike medieval Europe women,Japanese women were educated.) Many believe that geishas bound their feet, that is also false. That ritual was practised in China until it went into communism ( getting a bit off track buy anyways.)Geishas are a good example of trends and beauty in Ancient Japan. They wore Kimonos that were made of silk and were very expensive but very beautiful. They also applied white make up on their face. Having a pale complection was beautiful in ancient japan, and it still is in modern Japan ( but not as extreme as painting your face white.)Having white skin was a symbol of being high class. The top and sides sections of hair were comed to the back in 3 parts and put into a bun with some hair decorations and wore wooden sandals called 'geta'. Geishas and most other women grew their hair as long as possible. Normal women wore their hair down flowing down their back.
Kimonos and Yukata
Kimonos were used day to day by high class women, they were quite expensive and made of silk and have beautiful patterns on them. Now a days they are only used for special occasions like weddings, funerals, and tea ceremonies.
Yukatas are more for casual use. They were made of cotton and are worn around the house and aren't as complicated as kimonos.
Kimonos and Yukata
Kimonos were used day to day by high class women, they were quite expensive and made of silk and have beautiful patterns on them. Now a days they are only used for special occasions like weddings, funerals, and tea ceremonies.
Yukatas are more for casual use. They were made of cotton and are worn around the house and aren't as complicated as kimonos.
Poems
Karuta is a memory game which involved two players. There are 100 poems- They are taken from different points of medieval japan. The reader reads the first verse of a poem and the players must swipe the card that has the second verse of the poem on it.
Japanese poems are so beautiful. They are said simply, but have so much meaning behind them.
"Impassionate gods have never seen the red that is the Tatsuta
River.
Even in the age of ancient gods, I have never heard that the Tatsuta
River dyed its water in autumn red".
( If you want to know more about Karuta I suggest you watch the anime "Chihaya Furu" http://www.crunchyroll.com/chihayafuru)
Japanese poems are so beautiful. They are said simply, but have so much meaning behind them.
"Impassionate gods have never seen the red that is the Tatsuta
River.
Even in the age of ancient gods, I have never heard that the Tatsuta
River dyed its water in autumn red".
( If you want to know more about Karuta I suggest you watch the anime "Chihaya Furu" http://www.crunchyroll.com/chihayafuru)