EDU 007 19th Century Japan - Cermonial Tea Bowl (490 - 1945)

The tea ceremony is very important to Japanese culture. It was developed by Chinese masters and introduced to Japan around the 9th century. The philosophy of ceremonial tea became popularized and refined by Zen Buddhist monks in the 15th century. They placed great importance on enlightenment through meditation, self-contemplation, and direct experience. The ceremony emphasized a spiritual level to the ordinary practice of drinking tea. The four principles of the tea ceremony are harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. The tea ceremony became a way to appreciate the sacred concepts of purity and refinement. There are fourteen ceramic objects designated as national treasures in Japan, and eight of them are tea bowls. This is a clear sign of their importance in Japanese culture.

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