Chado, lit. Tea-Art, is the Japanese Way of Tea and the art of preparing tea. It refers to Chanoyu, lit. Hot Water for Tea, the Japanese Tea Ceremony, “Chanoyu” is regarded as the common name and “Chado” as the formal name. Chado includes the understanding that it is the “Way”, the spiritual understanding of chanoyu.
It became fundamental to the historical and cultural development of Japan. The history dates back as far as the 11th century, when powdered tea (matcha) was first regarded as a medicine until it became a refreshment and by the 14th century it developed into a solemn ceremony, first at Buddhist temples and gradually as a part of Japanese life.
Feudal lords retained tea masters who founded various schools of tea. The Meiji Restoration 1868 ended the feudal system and the Way of Tea entered a new era and had a much more popular basis. Gradually, it became known and practiced in the West. 1906 Kakuzo Okakura’s “Book of Tea” was published in the United States. Chado is now practiced in most countries all over the world.
Chado Ireland 