Designer: Product vendor
- Regular
- ¥20
- Sale
- ¥20
- Regular
- ¥20
Sold Out
- Unit Price
- Therefore
What to bring to a tea ceremony? What tools are necessary for tea ceremony and what is useful to have?
The tea ceremony is a traditional Japanese ritual. Many people are attracted by the beauty of the tea utensils and the manners of the tea ceremony, and many are interested in it. If you are invited to a tea ceremony party, what preparations should you make? When attending a tea ceremony, you should have the necessary utensils in plenty of time.
Here, for those who attend a tea ceremony tea party, we will introduce the basic items to bring and what is useful to have. We also explain what to wear at the tea ceremony, so please use this information to help you prepare for the day of the event.
Items You Need for a Tea Ceremony
If you plan to attend a tea ceremony, you will generally need to bring the following items. While there are several schools of tea ceremony, the items listed below are commonly used in classes across all schools, so it’s a good idea to have them on hand.
Fukusa
A "fukusa" is a cloth used in the tea ceremony to cleanse tea utensils and to examine the tea bowls. The term "omote-dai" refers to the series of steps involved in preparing tea in the tea ceremony. Not only the host but also the guest is required to bring a fukusa.It is customary for men to use purple fukusa and for women to use red or vermilion ones. Additionally, in the Urasenke school, a small cloth called a “kobukusa” is also used.
Kaishi
Kaishi is a type of disposable Japanese paper used at tea ceremonies and other occasions. It is used in various ways—such as holding sweets like a plate, wiping a tea bowl, or wiping one’s mouth. When attending a tea ceremony in a kimono, it is worn tucked into the inner pocket (futokoro) along with the hakusa.
Pastry Cutter
A "kashi-giri" is a tool used to cut and serve sweets served at tea ceremonies. It is also known as a "kashi-yōbashi." Sweets placed on a "kaishi" (decorative paper) are cut into bite-sized pieces with the kashi-giri before being eaten. Commercially available kashi-giri are typically sold as a set with a portable toothpick case.
folding fan
In the tea ceremony, folding fan is used during greetings at tea gatherings, when entering the tea room, and when viewing the tea utensils. Although etiquette varies by school, the basic practice involves folding fan in front of oneself to create a “boundary” as a sign of respect for the other person.Unlike folding fan used for cooling off, folding fan in the tea ceremony are not opened and waved.
The online shop of “Ibasen,” a long-established folding fan shop with a history dating back to the Edo period, carries folding fan suitable for the tea ceremony. Since the appropriate size folding fan tea ceremony folding fan varies by school and whether it is for men or women, if you are purchasing one as a tea utensil, it is best to check with your instructor at the tea ceremony school you attend.Our online shop carries 5-sun folding fan, which are commonly used in the tea ceremony. If you are looking for folding fan for an upcoming tea gathering, please be sure to browse our selection.
Items That Come in Handy at a Tea Ceremony
Although it varies depending on the school of tea ceremony, in addition to the basic items, it’s helpful to have the following items on hand for a tea gathering. Next, we’ll introduce some items that are useful to have when attending a tea gathering.
Small Tea Towel (Kochakin)
A small tea towel is an item used to clean the rim of the tea bowl after drinking thick tea. They come in both paper and cloth varieties. Since paper small tea towels are often moistened before use, they are carried in a waterproof “small tea towel case.” Since they are sometimes used in the Urasenke school, be sure to check for a small tea towel case as well.
Kaishi Case
A kaishi case is a container used to carry kaishi. It is also known as a “hakusha basami” or “sukiya-bukuro.” In addition to kaishi, you can use it to store and carry items such as hakusha, a sweets cutter, and folding fan all together. Having one on hand is convenient for tea ceremonies and practice sessions.
Furoshiki
A furoshiki is a piece of cloth used to wrap and carry items. If you’re attending a tea ceremony in a kimono, you can fold your outerwear—such as a dōgyō coat—and wrap it in a furoshiki. It’s a good idea to bring one along if needed.
Seiza Chair
A seiza chair is a product designed to support the seiza posture and reduce leg numbness. If you plan to use one at a tea ceremony, we recommend choosing a compact, portable model.
Jewelry Case
In the tea ceremony, it is considered proper etiquette to remove jewelry to avoid damaging the precious tea utensils. Be sure to take off all rings, necklaces, and watches before the tea ceremony and store them in a jewelry case to prevent them from getting lost.
Dress Code Etiquette for Attending a Tea Ceremony
When attending a tea ceremony, there are etiquette guidelines not only for what you bring but also for what you wear on the day of the event. Whether you’re wearing a kimono or Western-style clothing, be sure to dress appropriately for the occasion. Finally, here are some guidelines for attire at a tea ceremony.
Wear white tabi or white socks
Generally, in the tea ceremony, it is considered proper etiquette to wear white tabi or white socks on your feet to keep the tea room clean. Also, depending on the school, you may be asked to bring clean white tabi or white socks to the venue and change into them just before entering the tea room.Regardless of gender, you should generally be prepared with white tabi or white socks.
As a general rule, you should wear a kimono.
Generally, it is customary for both men and women to wear traditional Japanese clothing (kimono) when attending a tea ceremony. Since customs vary depending on the school and class, be sure to check the etiquette for the specific tea ceremony you plan to attend in advance.
For kimono, women typically wear semi-formal attire such as a solid-colored kimono with family crests (mon-tsuki iro-muji) or a visiting kimono (hōmongi), as well as komon patterns. For the obi, they pair it with a fukuro-obi or Nagoya-obi. Men generally wear a kimono with family crests paired with hakama. Since the level of formality required for the kimono may vary depending on the tea ceremony, be sure to confirm this in advance.
If wearing Western-style clothing, women are encouraged to wear neat, modest outfits that minimize skin exposure, such as pantsuits, knee-length skirts, or dresses. For men, a solid-colored suit in dark shades like black or navy is appropriate. Conversely, casual attire such as jeans or sweatpants should be avoided.
When attending a tea ceremony, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules regarding what to bring and how to dress before the day of the event so you can enjoy the experience with peace of mind. For more details on tea ceremony etiquette, please refer to the related article below. In addition to what to bring and how to dress, it covers other important points to keep in mind, so we highly recommend reading it as well.
Make sure to prepare your tea ceremony supplies well in advance!
We’ve explained the items you’ll need for a tea ceremony. Since the items required for tea ceremonies and lessons vary depending on the school and classroom, it’s best to check with your instructor to be sure. Since most schools use the basic items we’ve introduced, it’s a good idea to have them on hand if you’re interested in the tea ceremony.
At “Ibasen,” a long-established folding fan shop, we carry folding fan—an essential item for the tea ceremony. If you’re looking for folding fan to use at a tea gathering or want to choose folding fan with a distinctive design, please visit the “Ibasen” online shop.You’re sure to find a fan that will serve you well for years to come from folding fan diverse selection. Please feel free to Contact Us with any questions about folding fan.
Ibasen Tea Fan
