Teishu (Host) Preparation
1. The host must decide on a theme for the ceremony that often reflects the season, occasion, or time of day (TJTC).
2. The host carefully selects the proper utensils used for the ceremony and cleans each individual tool meticulously.
3. The host must organize the garden, in which trees, bushes, and plants must be trimmed to look their absolute best (TJTC).
4. The "Roji" garden path that leads to the tea room is cleaned by the host (TJTC).
*The “Roji” path, or dewy path, is the pathway that leads through the garden to the entrance of the tea house. The path is covered in scattered stepping stones and often lit by a stone lantern. Surrounding the path is a stone basin where water flows from the bamboo conduit for decoration. The path is known to be aromatic, in which there are no flowered shrubs covering its surface because it can be too distracting in the eyes of the guests (Statler 2).
5. The host must practice his or her graceful and swift movements to be performed during the ceremony (TJTC History and Steps).
6. The host makes a fire in the sunset hearth over the charcoal embers and ashes so that the tea can begin to boil
(Statler 2).
7. The host must plan out the steps of the ceremony, often making them quite simple with a divine meaning (TJTC History and Steps).
Questions the Host Asks in Order to Prepare for the Ceremony (Japanese Encyclopedia 1536)
1. The host must decide on a theme for the ceremony that often reflects the season, occasion, or time of day (TJTC).
2. The host carefully selects the proper utensils used for the ceremony and cleans each individual tool meticulously.
3. The host must organize the garden, in which trees, bushes, and plants must be trimmed to look their absolute best (TJTC).
4. The "Roji" garden path that leads to the tea room is cleaned by the host (TJTC).
*The “Roji” path, or dewy path, is the pathway that leads through the garden to the entrance of the tea house. The path is covered in scattered stepping stones and often lit by a stone lantern. Surrounding the path is a stone basin where water flows from the bamboo conduit for decoration. The path is known to be aromatic, in which there are no flowered shrubs covering its surface because it can be too distracting in the eyes of the guests (Statler 2).
5. The host must practice his or her graceful and swift movements to be performed during the ceremony (TJTC History and Steps).
6. The host makes a fire in the sunset hearth over the charcoal embers and ashes so that the tea can begin to boil
(Statler 2).
7. The host must plan out the steps of the ceremony, often making them quite simple with a divine meaning (TJTC History and Steps).
Questions the Host Asks in Order to Prepare for the Ceremony (Japanese Encyclopedia 1536)
- What is the theme ?
- Who should be invited?
- What is the best combination of bowls and utensils?
- Which flowers in which vase will show the time of year?
- What scroll should hang on the wall?
- What flavors and ingredients unique to the season should be included in the meal?