The way of Sencha Service has four governing Zen principles, which are Harmony, Respectfulness, Purity, and Peace of mind.
2. How to Serve:
The arrangement in the way of Sencha Service includes the Line of Purity, the Line of Purification of Mind, and the Line of Crudity.
(1) The Line of Purity runs through the center of the tray up to the boiling-water pot.
(2) The Line of Purification of Mind runs from the boiling-water pot through the charcoal-burner, charcoal-basket, and extra cups.
(3) The Line formed by the Slop basin and the center of the tray is called the Line of Crudity.
It forms a hypotenuse of the rectangular triangle.
3. Utensils used on the Table
1) Boo-kin-zutsu (Tray-napkin holder)
2) Cha-taku (Saucer)
3) Cha-kin-ire (Small napkin holder)
4) Cha-ire (Tea caddy)
5) Cha-go (Tea scoop)
6) To-rei (Water cooler)
7) Kyusu (Tea pot)
8) Chawan (Tea cup)
9) Kensui (Slop basin)
10) Suichu (Pitcher)
11) Ryoro (Charcoal burner)
12) Tofutsu (Boiling-water pot)
4. Principal guest
The Principal guest enters the tea-room. His function is highly important. In addition to being guest of honor, he is the leader of all the guests. He will sit closest to an alcove (Seat of honor).
5. Guardian exchanges greetings
gYo ko so irashaimashitah, (Welcome to this party). Principal guest bows in reply to Guardian and respond to his greetings with gOmaneki-ni azukarimashite arigato gozaimasuh. (Thank you for the invitation.)
6. Tea cake service by helper
Holding a bowl of tea-cakes with both hands, he enters tea-room and walks slowly over to where principal guests is seated. Says,gO-kashi-wo dozoh with a bow. (gPlease help yourselves to cakesh.)
7. Etiquette for the guests
The guests should take with them into the tea-room a small folding fan and a pad of white paper-napkin of their own.
They are dressed in quite colors, if possible, since simplicity and calmmess are the essentials of tea-ceremony.
At formal occasions, men wear a black silk eKimonof, a eHakamaf skirt, and white eTabif ; women also wear a formal eKimonof and white eTabif.
8. Setting up and Purification
Host takes the boiling-water pot and pours hot water into water-cooler : grasps small napkin and cleanse the tea pot, saucers, cups, pitcher, etc.
The Host must complete the standard arrangement.
9. Making tea
Pick up boiling-water pot and pour hot water into cooler and adjust its temperature to about 50Ž.
10. Put into tea leaves
Pick up the tea-caddy and slide tea leaves on to one end of tea-scoop in 3 1/2 batches, and feed the tea-pot with it, then replace the tea caddy and its lid. Pick up the Cooler, and pour hot water into the tea-pot in circular clockwise motion.
11. Pour tea into serving cups
Pour infused tea into cups in one slow continuous movement from left to right and back from right to left.
12. Tea service
To serve the tea : The Helper carries it over to the front of Principal guests.
Puts the tray on the side nearest the next guests. Bows, saying, gDozoh, (gPlease ! h) and repeat this until all the guests are served.
13. Drinking tea
Principal guest bows in reply to Helper's gDozoh and softly responds, gArigatoh(gThank you!h). When all get tea and Helper has left, the guests set the cups and saucers inside the line and say, gCho-dai itashi masuh(Let us enjoy a sip). Takes one sip and tells the Host, gThe tea is very niceh. The cup should be wiped once by men and twice by women with two fingers.
14. Admire the tea utensils
Admire the cup, also its bottom, and set it upright, and then the saucer is admired, too.
Eating the tea-cakes : Principal guest says , gGo issho shima shoh (Let us enjoy cakes).
15. Resetting after drinking Second Serving.
When the 2nd serving are finished. turn the cup upside down with right hand and place it on the saucer.
Bow in reply to Host's final bow. May make short speech of appreciation. The Host should clear the utensiles to their original positions.
