The Art of Serving Tea

For centuries, the Japanese people have perfected the tea ceremony. This is a ritual practiced throughout their society. It involves an intricate set of specific steps that must be performed by the host and guests. Each person has a defined place within the ceremony. There are many different types of tea ceremonies, and the host must decide which one to use. These ceremonies range from very long and formal through short and informal. The variety of ceremony also varies between merely social and highly religious. Performing the ceremony perfectly has become a living art form that is completely interactive between the host and all the guests.