The Spirit of Tea Ceremonies
The very spirit of Cha no Yu, Sen no Rikyu's tea ceremony.
This article talks about the 4 principles and the rules of tea ceremonies.
Wa kei sei jaku (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility)
Sen no Rikyu's 4 principles of the spirit of tea ceremonies are referred to as "wa kei sei jaku".
It's said these four words tell everything about Cha no Yu.
- Wa (harmony)… Open one's heart and get along with one another
- Kei (respect)… Respect one another
- Sei (Purity)… Purify not only what one can see, but also what's within one's heart
- Jaku (tranquility)… Keep your calm in any situation
When drinking tea and when it's being made, if one remembers "wa kei sei jaku", one can feel the very spirit of tea ceremonies.
Even know, "wa kei sei jaku" is rooted in Japanese people's mentality.
Rikyu's 7 rules
Preparing one's heart for tea ceremonies.
When Sen no Rikyu's disciples were asked if their hearts were prepared for tea ceremonies, they answered "I can do at least that" so it's said that if a person can do that, they can become a disciple.
However, it's one of those things that is easy to say, but tough to actually do.
- "Make a delicious bowl of tea" … Have the attitude of wanting to put everything into making good tea
- "Arrange the charcoal so the water boils quickly" … Being able to tell what's essential is important
- "Keep the room cool in summer and warm in winter" … Considering the seasons is important
- "Arrange flowers as they grow in nature" … Respect the life given to you by nature
- "Be prepared in advance" … Be mindful of time and make room for it
- "Be prepared for rain" … You must be able to adapt to any situation
- "Give your guests consideration" … Respect others and enjoy the time together