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HYPER JAPAN Tea Ceremony (Sado) Masterclass Description 2025
HYPER JAPAN Tea Ceremony (Sado) Masterclass Description 2025
Hyper Japan Masterclass Webpage: https://hyperjapan.co.uk
Hyper Japan Ticket Page: https://store.hyperjapan.co.uk
Hyper Japan Ticket Page: https://store.hyperjapan.co.uk
Tea Ceremony (Sado) Masterclass Description
A Tea Ceremony (Sado or Chado) masterclass offers an immersive exploration into the Japanese cultural practice of preparing and serving matcha, a powdered green tea, in a ritualized setting. Rooted in Zen Buddhist principles, Sado, meaning “The Way of Tea,” is a meditative and spiritual art form that emphasizes harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei), and tranquility (jaku). A masterclass provides participants with a deep understanding of this centuries-old tradition, blending hands-on practice with philosophical insights to cultivate mindfulness, aesthetic appreciation, and cultural awareness. Whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast, a Sado masterclass introduces you to the intricate rituals, etiquette, and tools that define this elegant practice, offering a transformative experience that extends beyond tea preparation to a way of living with intention and grace.
What You Will Learn
In a Sado masterclass, participants gain both practical skills and philosophical insights central to the Japanese tea ceremony. Key learning objectives include:
Tea Preparation Techniques: You will learn the precise methods for preparing matcha, including the differences between usucha (thin tea) and koicha (thick tea). This involves mastering the use of traditional utensils like the chasen (bamboo whisk) to create a smooth, frothy tea and understanding the correct water temperature and tea measurements.
Temae (Tea Procedure): The core of the tea ceremony is temae, the choreographed sequence of movements for preparing and serving tea. You will practice a simplified form, such as Bonryaku Temae or Ryurei-shiki (a table-based style designed for accessibility), learning how to handle utensils with precision and grace.
Etiquette and Guest Manners: Participants learn the roles of both host and guest, including how to bow, sit on tatami mats (or at a table in Ryurei-shiki), and handle the tea bowl (chawan). You will practice receiving and drinking tea, appreciating wagashi (traditional sweets), and expressing gratitude, embodying the spirit of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).
Philosophical Principles: The masterclass delves into the Zen-inspired principles of Sado, such as wabi-sabi (finding beauty in simplicity and imperfection) and ichi-go ichi-e (treasuring each moment as unique). These concepts guide the ceremony’s aesthetic and mindset, encouraging mindfulness and presence.
Cultural Context: You will explore the cultural elements intertwined with Sado, including chabana (tea flower arrangements), calligraphy on hanging scrolls, and the significance of seasonal variations in tea gatherings. This fosters a deeper appreciation of Japanese aesthetics and traditions.
Utensil Handling and Purification: The course teaches how to ritually cleanse and handle utensils like the chawan (tea bowl), chashaku (tea scoop), and fukusa (silk cloth), emphasizing purity and respect for the tools.
By the end of the masterclass, participants can perform a basic tea ceremony, understand its cultural significance, and apply its principles of mindfulness to daily life. For those inspired to continue, the course may provide guidance on further study with traditional tea schools like Urasenke or Omotesenke.
Lesson Structure
A typical Sado masterclass, such as the one offered by Hyper Japan, is structured to balance theoretical knowledge, practical training, and cultural immersion. It often spans multiple sessions (e.g., three 90-minute lessons) to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Below is a common structure, adapted from workshops like those led by Yuko Kobayashi Boff of the Omotesenke Tea School:
Session 1: Introduction and Foundations
The class begins with an overview of Sado’s history, philosophy, and cultural significance. The instructor introduces key concepts like wabi-sabi and the four principles of tea. Participants learn about the utensils and their symbolic roles, followed by a demonstration of a basic temae (e.g., Ryurei-shiki, performed at a table for accessibility). Students practice basic movements, such as folding the fukusa cloth and whisking matcha, and are introduced to guest etiquette, like bowing and handling the chawan.
The class begins with an overview of Sado’s history, philosophy, and cultural significance. The instructor introduces key concepts like wabi-sabi and the four principles of tea. Participants learn about the utensils and their symbolic roles, followed by a demonstration of a basic temae (e.g., Ryurei-shiki, performed at a table for accessibility). Students practice basic movements, such as folding the fukusa cloth and whisking matcha, and are introduced to guest etiquette, like bowing and handling the chawan.
Session 2: Practical Application
This session focuses on hands-on practice. Participants perform parts of the temae under the instructor’s guidance, such as purifying utensils and preparing usucha. The instructor provides feedback on posture, movements, and precision. Students also learn how to eat wagashi and drink tea as a guest, practicing the sequence of rotating the bowl and wiping it after drinking. Discussions may cover seasonal elements, such as selecting appropriate chabana flowers or scrolls.
This session focuses on hands-on practice. Participants perform parts of the temae under the instructor’s guidance, such as purifying utensils and preparing usucha. The instructor provides feedback on posture, movements, and precision. Students also learn how to eat wagashi and drink tea as a guest, practicing the sequence of rotating the bowl and wiping it after drinking. Discussions may cover seasonal elements, such as selecting appropriate chabana flowers or scrolls.
Session 3: Full Ceremony and Reflection
The final session involves performing a complete, simplified tea ceremony, integrating all learned elements. Participants take turns acting as host and guest, fostering a collaborative and respectful atmosphere. The session concludes with a Q&A, reflection on the experience, and guidance on continuing Sado practice. Some courses, like those at the Kudan Institute, provide a certificate of completion and access to video resources for home practice.
The final session involves performing a complete, simplified tea ceremony, integrating all learned elements. Participants take turns acting as host and guest, fostering a collaborative and respectful atmosphere. The session concludes with a Q&A, reflection on the experience, and guidance on continuing Sado practice. Some courses, like those at the Kudan Institute, provide a certificate of completion and access to video resources for home practice.
Each session typically includes a demonstration by the instructor, hands-on practice, and time for questions, ensuring an interactive and supportive learning environment. For online classes, Zoom is often used, with instructors adapting the format to accommodate virtual settings, such as using household items if traditional tools are unavailable.
Materials Used
The materials required for a Sado masterclass are rooted in the traditional tools of the tea ceremony, though adaptations are made for accessibility, especially in beginner or online courses. Common materials include:
Chawan (Tea Bowl): A ceramic bowl for preparing and drinking matcha. In masterclasses, participants may use a provided chawan or a medium-sized household bowl (8-20 cm in diameter).
Chasen (Bamboo Whisk): Used to whisk matcha into a frothy consistency. Instructors may provide or lend one, or participants can purchase one.
Chashaku (Bamboo Tea Scoop): A delicate scoop for measuring matcha. Alternatives like a small spoon may be suggested for beginners.
Fukusa (Silk Cloth): A two-ply silk cloth for purifying utensils. A substitute cloth may be used in beginner classes.
Chakin (Linen Cloth): A white cloth for cleaning the tea bowl. Hyper Japan’s workshop, for example, includes a chakin in the ticket price.
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Matcha: Ceremonial-grade powdered green tea, provided by the instructor or sourced by participants.
Wagashi (Japanese Sweets): Seasonal confections eaten before drinking tea to balance its bitterness. Participants may bring their own sweets (e.g., chocolates or biscuits) in online settings.
Hot Water: A thermos of boiled water is needed for preparing matcha.
Natsume (Tea Caddy): A small container for storing matcha, often lent by the instructor for in-person classes.
Optional Items: White socks or tabi for cleanliness (especially in tatami settings), and a kaishi (washi paper) for serving sweets.
Instructors often provide or lend key items, and for online courses, they offer flexibility by allowing household substitutes. For example, Hyper Japan’s workshop recommends a deep bowl and simple sweets if traditional tools are unavailable.
YouTube Channel for Sado
One notable YouTube channel dedicated to the Japanese tea ceremony is The Tea Crane by Tyas Sōsen.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTeaCrane
This channel, run by Tyas Sōsen, a certified instructor of the Enshū school, offers a wealth of free content, including tutorials on temae, explanations of tea utensils, and insights into the history and philosophy of Sado. Weekly videos provide practical guidance for beginners and advanced practitioners, making it an excellent resource for deepening your understanding of the tea ceremony.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTeaCrane
This channel, run by Tyas Sōsen, a certified instructor of the Enshū school, offers a wealth of free content, including tutorials on temae, explanations of tea utensils, and insights into the history and philosophy of Sado. Weekly videos provide practical guidance for beginners and advanced practitioners, making it an excellent resource for deepening your understanding of the tea ceremony.
Brief History of Sado
The Japanese tea ceremony, known as Sado, Chado, or Chanoyu, originated in the 9th century when Zen Buddhist monk Eichu introduced tea to Japan, serving it to Emperor Saga in 815 CE. Initially a practice among monks, tea drinking was valued for its calming properties during meditation. By the 12th century, tea became a status symbol among the aristocracy, with lavish tea gatherings showcasing imported Chinese teaware. The ceremony’s evolution into a spiritual and aesthetic practice began in the 15th century with Murata Jukō, who introduced the wabi-sabi aesthetic, emphasizing simplicity and humility over opulence. Jukō’s use of rustic Japanese teaware alongside Chinese items made Sado more accessible, shifting its focus to spiritual discipline.
In the 16th century, Sen no Rikyū, the most influential tea master, formalized the modern tea ceremony. Serving powerful figures like Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Rikyū refined the wabi-sabi style, designing small, rustic tea houses and emphasizing mindfulness, humility, and the principle of ichi-go ichi-e (“one time, one meeting”). He established the four core principles—harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility—that remain central to Sado. Rikyū’s teachings influenced the three main tea schools: Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Mushanokōjisenke, which continue to pass down his legacy.
During the Edo period (1603–1868), Sado spread to all social classes, becoming a cornerstone of Japanese culture. It integrated arts like calligraphy, flower arrangement (chabana), and ceramics, reflecting seasonal and natural elements. The ceremony’s Zen roots fostered a meditative atmosphere, encouraging participants to find beauty in imperfection and fleeting moments. Today, Sado is practiced globally, with schools like Urasenke offering training and resources for international students. Modern masterclasses, such as those at Hyper Japan, adapt traditional practices for accessibility, using formats like Ryurei-shiki to welcome beginners and foreigners, ensuring the art form’s enduring relevance.
Sado remains a profound expression of Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, blending ritual, art, and mindfulness. Its global appeal lies in its universal message of finding peace and connection through simple, intentional acts, making it a timeless practice that resonates across cultures.
Paul (Poison Fish) Manjyu Woodman
