The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-07-04
11lsS Bdlts-Haltf::'

1t was Thackeray who said, Mature must
have meant kindly by woman when she made
the tea-plant"; but surely Nature had the
gentle Japanese in mind whom she gave the
world the fragrant leaves In tho last LiPPir-
colt a quaint legend is told. however, that goes
to show that it was for Sleepy Buddhist priests
tina. tea was granted mankind, and that India
was its birthplace. The story is:
"Darumah, great Buddhist saint Of India
in the sixth century. the founder of the Zen
sect. and one who Is said to have spent nine
years in silent meditation, slept soundly one
night. being overcome by mental exhaustion.
So great was the saints anger when he awoke.
that he cut off his lazy eyelids and flung them
on the ground. Each lid was suddenly trans
formed into plant which We now call the
tea plant" Tea has ever since been used by
the Buddhists to keep them awake during
their midnight devotions.
In the same article is an account Of the tea
drinking ceremony in Japan. 1t is q ceremony
that must be delightfully."- quaint and pic
turesque, and most unlike any social customs
here.
The etiquet of tea-drinking is extremely
strict. The tea is made and served in slow,
formal manner; each action, each gesture, and
even the manner of articulation, Is determined
by code OF laws. Every article connected
with the ceremony, such the tea canister
the incense-burner, the hanging scroll and bon
quet of flowers in the alcoye, is either handled
else admired in ways and with phrases
which unalterabe usage prescribes.
The ceremony must be held in special
room, and only single picture-of saint or
philosopher, the incense burner and vase
with single flower or a few buds are allowed
for decorations. First a small dinner is given
with elaborate bowings. The hostess remaining
away most of the time from her guests, only
coming in to beg them to partake freely or to
bring them sweets to carry home. After this
the guests all retire from the room, and the
hostess arranges it for the tea-drinking proper.
90 The floor is swept and tho decorations
changed, and you inv ite guests to enter again.
The guests sit down on the floor You will then
appear, bringing the instruments for making
the tea, such as the frestieks, feathers, etc.
Saluting the party, you viii take your seat near
the fireplace. Placing all the necessary tea
sets before You. you then commence to serve the
tea, upon which all the party will praise and
admire your exquisite manner and beautiful
tea instruments. Now, holding up the bags
and creasiDg the silken napkin according to
the particular manner of etiquet, you will wipe
the teacup and then put spoonful of fragrant
powdered tea into it and pour dipper half
full of hot water out of the kettle in the fire.
place. Then you viii twice stir it about with
a bamboo stirrer, process requiring great care
and skill. Thus making tea, you will turn,
facing the seat of the principal guest, who will
In the politest manner proceed one step toward
you on his knee, to receive the cup from your
hands, and returning to his seat. salute his
neighbor and drink three sips. Prasing its ex-
celeDt taste and flavor, he passes the cup to his
neighbor, who in the same manner passes it to
the next person, and so on until the cup has
gone the round of the company. The tea in
the cup will be just finished when the turn Of
the last one completes his part OF the ceremony.
The cup will be returned to the principal guest,
who. with a polite how, returns it to you.
Soon afterwsrd the guests all bow together,
expressing their gratitude to you" Thus the
kio-cha ceremony comes to an end.
After this elaborate ceremony tea is again
served, cup To each person. and in formal chat
ting begins. The host must do everything
connected with the serving of the meal and
tea; it is considered az doing more honor to his
guests than for him to have servants and
walters.
There is special kind of tea made for these
occasions, costing $40 pound. Tea ranges in
price from cents to $40. but those for every
day use in the average families cost from %
cents to 81.