5 Seasonal Days of Japan & The Art of Tea 🍵
These days mark the transitions between the four seasons: spring to summer, summer to autumn, autumn to winter, and winter to spring.
On these key dates, traditional rituals are performed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Drinking tea aligned with the changing seasons is an integral part of this culture, with the transition from spring to summer in May holding special importance.
The tea harvested in May is known as Shincha (first-flush tea), made from the very first tea leaves picked that year. Enjoying Shincha is considered a vital ceremony within Japanese tea ceremony (Chado).
Hosts carefully curate every element of the ceremony to suit the occasion. They prepare seasonal dishes and sweets, and deliberately select each item—from the hanging scroll and seasonal flowers in the tokonoma (alcove) to the specific utensils used. Every single detail carries a thoughtful meaning.
Noticeable appreciation of these subtle gestures is an essential part of being a guest. If you visit Japan and plan to experience a tea ceremony, learning about the host's meticulous preparations beforehand will make your experience far more meaningful.
These days mark the transitions between the four seasons: spring to summer, summer to autumn, autumn to winter, and winter to spring.
On these key dates, traditional rituals are performed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Drinking tea aligned with the changing seasons is an integral part of this culture, with the transition from spring to summer in May holding special importance.
The tea harvested in May is known as Shincha (first-flush tea), made from the very first tea leaves picked that year. Enjoying Shincha is considered a vital ceremony within Japanese tea ceremony (Chado).
Hosts carefully curate every element of the ceremony to suit the occasion. They prepare seasonal dishes and sweets, and deliberately select each item—from the hanging scroll and seasonal flowers in the tokonoma (alcove) to the specific utensils used. Every single detail carries a thoughtful meaning.
Noticeable appreciation of these subtle gestures is an essential part of being a guest. If you visit Japan and plan to experience a tea ceremony, learning about the host's meticulous preparations beforehand will make your experience far more meaningful.