Today in Japan it’s not unusual to be invited by someone in “drinking sencha,” a phrase meaning “let’s have tea together.” The sencha tea ceremony first be- came popular during Japan’s Edo period (1600-1867) as a simpler style of drink- ing tea. |
Many Japanese literati were looking for a change from the formal Chanoyu powdered tea ceremony wanting to drink tea in a simpler, more conventional way. This was a time when many of Japan’s philosophers and artists were emulating China’s scholars and elite literati of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and the refined methods of classical tea drinking they had developed, along with their simple method of steeping loose leaf tea.Adapting the tea drinking methods of the Ming literati, Japanese intellectuals called their new method of tea drinking the sencha tea ceremony. Later it would be called sencha tea service or just simplysencha. |
Using tea leaves instead of powdered tea, sencha was introduced to Japan from China during the Ming dynasty, around the mid 17th century, a time when Japan’s literati were greatly influ- enced by China, as well as Neo-Confucian thought. Many of Japan’s literati adopted sencha tea drinking as a symbolic revolt against the Chanoyu tea ceremony which was favored by the ruling class.During the 18th century more and more ordinary Japanese towns- people adopted the sencha style of tea drinking and it gradually grew to become an informal setting for sharing a cup of tea with friends and family.But Chinese utensils used during sencha were still out of reach, too tetsubin was influ- tea bowls, used small, tea brewing and Japanese green tea, a specific type of Yixing or Today this style of teapot is still popular and can be found gyokuro tea.So, the next time you invite friends for tea, ask them if they would like to “drink sencha” Enjoy. |