AbstractsPhilosophy & Theology

Tea is a very common beverage drunk all around the world; but its cultural history and the spiritual aspect behind it are often overlooked. The Japanese tea ceremony of today is deeply integrated in the Japanese society, its a cultural activity practiced by people of all social classes. It’s an event where the Japanese people dress up in their traditional clothing, kimono, and meet up for a cup of tea in a calm and serene environment. The tea ceremony is a form of art that even the most dedicated and experienced practitioners of the ceremony have a hard time understanding since some of its principles and concepts may at time be puzzling and ambiguous. The purpose of this essay is to shed some light on the world of tea and its value in the modern Japanese society. To fully understand its value in modern Japanese society, it is important to examine its history, where it came from, and what its function were in the past, as well as how it managed to survive through history. This essay will then go on to examine its spiritual aspect, the principles behind it, and the importance of the physical objects related to the tea ceremony. In the final chapter, the significance of the Japanese tea ritual will be examined through the seasonal changes, its symbolic aspect and the various Japanese traditional art forms that can all be found inside the tea room.