The 4 Pillars of Chado (和 敬 清 寂): A Beginner's Guide to Tea Ceremony Etiquette

Originating in 16th-century Kyoto with tea master Sen no Rikyū, the tea ritual is a living meditation on impermanence, respect, and presence.

To step into a Japanese tea gathering (Chaji) in London or Kyoto is to step outside linear time. Every gesture—from the angle of the bamboo water ladle to the precise rotation of the ceramic bowl—is choreographed to eliminate ego and cultivate absolute mindfulness.

The Four Zen Principles (四規)

1. Wa (和) — Harmony: The harmony between the host, the guests, the seasons, and the natural implements of the room.
2. Kei (敬) — Respect: Sincere mutual reverence between human beings and the humble objects of nature. In the tea room, all social ranks and worldly titles are discarded.
3. Sei (清) — Purity: Physical cleanliness and spiritual purification, symbolized by the washing of hands and mouth at the stone water basin (Tsukubai).
4. Jaku (寂) — Tranquility: The serene state of inner stillness that naturally emerges when harmony, respect, and purity are embodied.

Essential Guest Etiquette for Beginners

If you are invited to a formal tea presentation in London:

• Receive with Both Palms: Always receive the chawan with your right hand and place it gently upon your left palm. Support the side with your right fingers.
• Bow in Gratitude: Make a slight bow to the host and acknowledge the fellow guest beside you.
• Rotate the Bowl Twice: The host will always serve the bowl with its most beautiful hand-painted face (Shōmen) facing you. Out of humility, turn the bowl clockwise twice (about 90 degrees) so your lips do not drink directly from the front face.
• The Final Siphon (Suikiri): Drink in three and a half sips. On the final sip, inhale with a deliberate, audible slurp. This signals to the host that you have relished the very last drop of jade crema.
• Wipe the Rim: Gently wipe the rim with your right thumb and forefinger, wipe your fingers on your paper napkin (Kaishi), rotate the bowl counter-clockwise back to the front, and admire the craftsmanship.