Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
茶道のお点前は、一つ一つの所作に深い意味が込められております。 — In tea ceremony, every single gesture is imbued with deep meaning. (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
茶道のお点前は、一つ一つの所作に深い意味が込められております。
さどうのおてまえは、ひとつひとつのしょさにふかいいみがこめられております。
In tea ceremony, every single gesture is imbued with deep meaning.
Romaji: Sadou no otemae wa, hitotsu hitotsu no shosa ni fukai imi ga komerarete orimasu. / Reply Romaji: Naruhodo. Ichido haiken shite mitai desu.
Reply
なるほど。一度拝見してみたいです。
なるほど。いちどはいけんしてみたいです。
I see. I'd love to observe one sometime.
Gesture & etiquette
If observing a tea ceremony, sit in seiza if possible, keep silent. When receiving the tea bowl, place it on your left palm, rotate clockwise twice to avoid drinking from the 'front' (most beautiful side). Drink in 2-3 sips, wipe rim with right thumb. Compliment the bowl: 「結構なお茶碗で」.
「お点前」 (otemae) is the codified sequence of preparing matcha tea. Every motion—wiping the bowl, scooping tea powder, the angle of the ladle—follows precise tradition rooted in centuries of Buddhist and Zen philosophy. The four principles are 和敬清寂 (wa-kei-sei-jaku: harmony, respect, purity, tranquility). Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) codified the modern form.