Universal
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
You
お茶碗は両手で持って、時計回りに二回回してからお飲みください。
おちゃわんはりょうてでもって、とけいまわりににかいまわしてからおのみください。
Please hold the tea bowl with both hands, rotate it clockwise twice, then drink.
Romaji: O-chawan wa ryoute de motte, tokei-mawari ni nikai mawashite kara o-nomi kudasai. / Reply Romaji: Hai, wakaimashita. (rotates and drinks)
Reply
はい、わかりました。（回して飲む）
はい、わかりました。（まわしてのむ）
Yes, I understand. (rotates and drinks)
Gesture & etiquette
Demonstrate the motion if you are teaching — hold an imaginary bowl with both palms up, rotate it slowly twice clockwise, then mime drinking. The movement should be deliberate and graceful, never rushed.
Rotating the bowl before drinking is a core 茶道 (chadou/sadou) etiquette — it positions the decorated front of the bowl away from your lips, so you don't drink directly from the 'face' of a valued piece of craftsmanship. After drinking, wipe the rim with your 懐紙 (kaishi — a small paper napkin carried by guests).