understanding the rank of tea ceremony utensils
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OolongDragon.com: Choosing the utensils to use in a tea ceremony depends on factors such as the season and occasion.TRANSCRIPT
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Choosing the utensils to use
in a tea ceremony depends
on factors such as the
season and occasion.
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This custom originated from the time
when people were treated based on rank.
It was also applied to the use of utensils.
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The Manner by which a Utensil is Handled
Low rank utensils
are not carried
with two hands.
They are picked
up with one and
never held with 2
except for a short
time.
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High rank
utensils are
carried in close
proximity to the
body, almost
near the
stomach for
stability.
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A lower rank utensil such as waste water
container is carried at waist level.
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The Sequence the Utensils are Attended
Utensils that are high in rank are brought
inside the room before lower ranking
utensils.
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The alcove (tokonoma) is considered to
be the most important area in the tea
room.
Rank is
indicated by
one’s
proximity to
it.
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In the room, guests are seated near the
alcove while the guest of honor is seated
first in the row closest to the alcove.
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Utensils are placed
within easy view
and also indicate
importance.
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For more information on Japanese Tea Ceremonies,
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