What are Traditional Japanese Tea Sets?

Tea is not just a drink; it's an art form respected in many Asian countries as part of their cultural norms. One of these is Japan. Since the 1100s, tea has steeped itself into the roots of Japanese tradition and hospitality.

In fact, Japanese tea ceremonies are no joke! Hosts will serve perfectly brewed matcha tea to guests in a traditional Japanese tea pot set. And yes, a Japanese tea set is more nuanced than you might imagine at first.

So let's uncover all there is to know about a Japanese teapot set and things you should keep in mind when you buy yourself a Japanese ceremonial tea set! First things first...

What is a Traditional Japanese Tea Set?

A Japanese tea set is a collection of utensils and teaware used to perform a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, often called a chanoyu or sado in Japanese. These tea sets are a common and traditional way to serve tea in Japan.

A Japanese tea set, made in Japan, can be crafted using different materials, such as:

• Porcelain

• Ceramic

• Clay

• Lacquerware

• Steel

• Bamboo

• Stone

• Glass

These different materials add beauty and unique qualities to the tea set, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for craftsmanship and attention to detail.

For instance, a Japanese clay teapot set is good for brewing one specific type of tea as it absorbs the aroma of the tea itself. Meanwhile, a Japanese ceramic tea set is good to brew just about any type of tea!

What is included in a typical Japanese Tea Set?

Now the difference between many Japanese tea ceremony sets boils down to its components. Before you buy a tea set made in Japan, it's essential to know what is included in an authentic Japanese tea set!

• Chawan (Tea Bowl): A bowl used for whisking and serving matcha. Chawan come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, often reflecting the aesthetics of Japanese ceramics.

• Chasen (Tea Whisk): A bamboo whisk used to mix the powdered matcha with hot water and create a frothy, creamy consistency.

• Chashaku (Tea Scoop): A bamboo scoop used to measure the correct amount of matcha powder for each serving. It is often carved into elegant shapes and can be decorated with intricate patterns.

• Chakin (Tea Cloth): A small cloth used for wiping the tea bowl and whisk, ensuring cleanliness during the tea ceremony.

• Hishaku (Water Ladle): A long-handled ladle used to transfer hot water from the kettle to the tea bowl.

• Kensui (Waste Water Bowl): A bowl used for disposing of leftover water from rinsing utensils during the tea ceremony.

• Natsume or Chaire (Tea Caddy): A container used to store the powdered matcha. Natsume are typically made of lacquered wood, while Chaire are ceramic containers often used in more formal tea ceremonies.

• Futaoki (Lid Rest): A small rest used to hold the lid of the kettle or teapot when not in use, preventing it from touching the surface and maintaining cleanliness.

• Houhin or Kyusu (Teapot): In some ceremonies, a small teapot is used to brew the tea instead of whisking matcha. Houhin is typically used for high-grade teas, while Kyusu is more common for everyday tea brewing.

• Chabon (Tea Tray): A tray used to carry and present the tea utensils during the ceremony. In a Japanese tea set with tray, it can also serve as a surface for preparing the tea.

Types of Japanese Tea Sets

There are many different types of Japanese tea sets and teaware that fulfill different needs. From different types of strainers to unique handle shapes of the teapot, you'll find a diverse range of Japanese tea sets!

But there are 4 main types of Japanese tea pot sets that you should know if you're wondering how to choose the best one:

Chawan Tea Set

This set typically includes a chawan (tea bowl), chasen (tea whisk), and chashaku (tea scoop). For matcha lovers, a Chawan Tea Set is the perfect way to brew matcha in its best form.

Tokoname Tea Set

Hailing from the Tokoname region in Japan, this set often features teapots and teaware made from clay sourced locally. Tokoname clay is prized for its porous nature, which enhances the flavor of the tea brewed in it, particularly green tea.

Porcelain Tea Set

Porcelain tea sets are known for their delicate beauty and versatility. They often include a teapot, cups, and sometimes a serving tray. A porcelain tea set showcases the elegance and refinement associated with porcelain craftsmanship.

Kyusu Tea Set

Kyusu refers to a traditional Japanese teapot with a side handle. A Kyusu tea set typically includes this distinctive teapot along with matching cups.

The design of the Kyusu focuses on functionality, allowing for precise pouring and temperature control, ideal for brewing Japanese green teas.

How to Brew Tea in a Japanese Traditional Tea Set?

Brewing tea in a traditional Japanese tea set to have a pot of flavorful tea requires precision and dedication to the act.

While there are different brewing steps for different types of tea, we can provide you with a general method to brew a tasty pot.

1. Firstly, prepare your teapot and teacup for each person you have to serve.

2. Pour boiling water into the teacups so they are now warm.

3. Put tea leaves into your teapot. Usually, you should add 1 teaspoon per person.

4. Now pour the water from the cups into the teapot and let the tea brew for a minute.

5. Do not put the teapot on direct heat.

6. After a minute, pour the tea back into the warm teacups evenly. Enjoy!

Although Japanese sado is originated in China, it has its distinct characters of Japan and unique meaning. Rooted in the daily life, Japanese sado is a comprehensive cultural and art activity combing daily behaviors, religion, philosophy, ethics and aesthetics.

The definition "sado is a comprehensive cultural system" raised by an expert Hisamastu Shinichi has won universal agreements. Another expert Kuwada Nakaoya believes that "sado is no longer the plain interest and entertainment only. It has developed into the standard and ideal of Japanese daily life and culture". Generated from the oriental culture, Japanese sado fully performs it.

Requirements on Environment

Buddhism is the ideological background of Japanese sado and Zen is its core. Zen's thinking and form has impact on most sectors of Japanese culture including: architecture, garden, music, calligraphy, marital art and design of the building that in particular for sado service.

Japanese teahouse consists of tearoom, the room for store water, porch and rain road (an open- air road) connecting tearoom and porch. It is constructed only by soil, sands, wood, bamboos and other construction material with its surface without polishing. Therefore Japanese teahouse is also called "cottage" or the "room of empty". Many unique structures exist in Japanese teahouse, such as wall, little entrance requiring kneeling into, unbalanced architectural structures windows that near the bottom of wall and windows made by bamboo.

Niche. In his book the Book of Tea, Okakura Tenshin asserts that "the plain and pure of teahouse is a copy of Buddha hall". It is necessary in every teahouse and thought to be divine. After entering the room, people should first keel down before the niche to pay their topmost tribute to it and read the ink writing of Buddhist Zen and appreciate tea's flower.

The entrance that only allows kneeling into. The entrance is about 73 cm high and 70 cm wide, made by two and a half used planks, with sash rail inside and nail cap appeared without cover. Therefore there is no privilege that everybody must kneel into the room to feel the state of forgetting their earthly existence.

Unbalanced architectural structures. From surface to inside, the teahouse shows the "unbalanced" beauty everywhere, which reflects Taoism with Buddhist Zen features contained in Japanese sado. In the ideas of Taoism and Zen, the true beauty gain through mentally. Teahouse is designed into the temporal building with fixed time of use. For the thatch roof and common construction material made from delicate bamboo. It is only a cabin in moor or a plain shelter, which is like weeds that may return to wild for its loose banding at any time and meaningless bamboo. All of this expresses the idea of uncertainty.

Windows. A small window is created for special lighting by remaining an area non-plastered. Made of battens and bamboo poles, the window made of bamboo is more solid than the window close to the bottom of wall, can be opened more broadly. The small the teahouse is, the more the windows are, increasing the open feeling of space and also performing sado ideas - "striving to harmony and mean".

Requirements on Drinking

When holding a tea party, Japanese all have an idea of "only meeting this time" that actually reflect the Buddhist "idea of uncertainty". Buddhist idea of uncertainty urges people to cherish every second and things in life. With the belief of "one time in life", hosts and guests value sado and realize that life is like the foam of tea vanishing in a twinkle, from which people resonate with each other, and realize that they are an integrated unit and interdependency and the rich of life.

Prior in tea party, the host must understand the guests and companies, preparing fine tea, fine water and tea flower, tea biscuits and other food materials. The host should clean up the tearoom and its related garden (tea garden). If guests coming in advance, they should sit in a straw shed of garden to appreciate the garden and the diligent of host. Then they step into the tea room and take seats, which is the first step called "primary sit". The second step is "primary coaling":appreciating the host’s coaling skill. After this, the host offers some tea biscuit. Guests go to the garden for a rest after eating, which is called "a standing in middle time".Guests return to the tearoom again and take seats, which is called "last sit". The last sit is the most important part of tea party. In this step the host provides guests with thick tea, perform coaling, and provide thin tea respectively. Later on, the host and guests say goodbye to each other, the tea party is over.

Tea ceremony demonstrates the process of drinking tea. It is a special ceremony when Japanese are welcoming guests and a form of classical art in Japan. Through tasting the tea, Japanese can exchange ideas and deepen their relationships.

Tea ceremony is not merely about drinking tea itself, but plays a role in exchanging ideas. Besides, it has its own strict procedures and rules, which includes ordering, offering, receiving, tasting, delivering back, selection and evaluation of Japanese tea sets as well as the ornaments in the tea house. These aspects shall all follow certain rules.

Tea ceremony in Japan is widely known in households. There are about 10 million people practicing it, accounting for 10% if Japan's total population.

Tea is more than a beverage in Japan; it is a way to express thoughts and feelings while sipping a relaxing thing. Tea ceremony in Japan has miscellaneous protocols. For instances, tea shall be fully grinded, Japanese tea sets shall be wiped clean, flower arrangement shall give considerations to seasons, and to guests' reputation, social status, generation, age and cultural literacy. The operation of the host when making tea shall be quick and follow the standards, additionally, it must has rhythm like dance, feeling of detached from the world, and be precise at the same time. All these protocols are designed to show respect to guests, representing the spirits of "harmony and respect". Japanese tea ceremony can be summarized by four words, namely "harmony, respect, pureness, quietness", enabling itself to become a cultural and artistic activity combining religion, philosophy, ethics, and aesthetics.

The Japan tea sets are exquisite, classy and elegant and this is the reason that they are in demand all over the world. In Japan tea sets are a status symbols and one can find a different design in every household. There is vast collection of Japanese tea sets in a range of beautiful styles and colours, which is suitable for various occasion. The shape and size of Japanese porcelain tea sets makes it a popular choice for many. Our tea sets are praised for their beauty, strength, and superb quality. If you are tea lover or looking for Japanese tea set, with these Japanese tea sets are a smart choice. All of our Japanese tea sets come in a smart presentation box and would make great gifts.

Where to buy the best Japanese Tea Set?

Looking for the best Japanese tea set to spruce up your tea time? At Umi Tea Sets, you can find a diverse range of authentic Japanese tea sets from Japan.

Whether you're looking for Japanese porcelain tea sets, or the perfect Japanese ceremonial tea set to honor the art of Japanese tea, Umi Tea Sets brings you the best of the best. Straight from Japan.

Check out our collection of traditional Japanese tea sets here!