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"SADO" - Treatment (Service)

A person who serves tea is called a "Teish (host)". A Teish creates a sincere environment so that the guests can enjoy a comfortable atmosphere while spending time with the Teish.

First of all, a "Teish" set up a "Roji(=Garden)" before greeting guests. Then, he progresses through a series of manners starting with receiving guests into the "Chasitsu(=tearoom)" followed by bringing in tea sets, such as "Chawan (=tea bowl)" E "Chashaku(=tea spoon)" E "Chakin(=tea naphkin)" then finishing with pouring hot water and mixing it powdered green tea. Each process is linked together beautifully and smoothly like a stream. Also, a Teish hangs a scroll with a poem or wording from zen on the wall arranges seasonable flowers in a vase so as to make the guests feel comfortable. However, the scroll and flowers are not only arranged for the decoration of the room, but also for understanding the meaning of the words and teaching the zen writing on the scroll. A Teish creates a sense of the seasons by arranging seasonable Flowers, such as plum blossoms in the early spring or morning glories in the summer as if they are growing in a field.These arrangements are mentioned in the seven teachings of Senno-Rikyu and allows us to learn the value of nature.A Teish serves refreshments in the same way. For example, he serves refreshments with the scent of a Cherry blossom, called "Sakura mochi" in the Spring, the refreshments compare to the milky way which makes guests feel cool in the Summer.

On the other hand, there are manners the guests need to follow as well. They not only need to help the Teish to proceed smoothing through the arrangements, but also for expressing gratitude to the Teish for his services.Thus, this is the essence of Sado, which is the sharing of a comfortable time between the Teish and his guests by exchanging a sincere sense of give and take between the Teish, who truly of the Teish who hopes the guests will enjoy drinking a bowl of tasty green tea and that of the guests who expresses gratitude to the Teish for his services.

To be continued...