Category: Glossary

A chaji is the most formal style of Japanese tea gathering, typically lasting around four hours and attended by three to five guests. It usually includes a seasonal kaiseki meal, sweets, and both thick tea (koicha) and thin tea (usucha), with charcoal preparation (sumidemae) performed as part of the gathering. Because both the host and…

A chakai is a Japanese tea gathering where guests enjoy tea and seasonal hospitality in one or more tea rooms. It may include separate sessions for usucha (thin tea), koicha (thick tea), and a light meal called tenshin (boxed refreshments), or it may consist of several usucha tea rooms. Chakai range from informal gatherings to…

Teicha refers to the serving of tea to guests, often at temples, gardens, museums, cultural events, or special occasions. Unlike a formal tea gathering, it focuses on offering a welcoming tea experience, usually with a sweet, allowing visitors to enjoy a taste of Japanese tea culture in a casual setting.