Tea

"Yukigesho."

"Karakurenai."

The Japanese language is rich in unique expressions that reflect nature and culture.

Magical Japanese.

Today's theme is "tea," or "cha."

Japan has numerous tea varieties with different preparation methods, from "sencha," a classic brew, to "matcha," used in the tea ceremony.

Today we'll whisk through words and phrases associated with this beloved Japanese staple.

Hello, I'm Peter MacMillan.

Tea is often served in Japan, and served with meals, too.

Let's have a look at some Japanese expressions that came about due to the close connection of tea with daily life in Japan.

"nichijo sahanji" "Nichijo" means "daily," "sahan" is "tea and rice," and "ji" means "thing."

The expression refers to something that happens as regularly as one's daily meal.

"nichijo sahanji" "ochauke"

These are the sweets, pickles, or fruit served with tea.

"ochauke" This word indicates that food plays a supporting role to the tea.

"Uke" means "saucer," but it can also mean "to balance something."

If you drink tea on an empty stomach, it can cause a stomachache.

An "ochauke", or some food, is something to prevent that.

In other words, the important part of the meal is not the food, but the tea.

Let's have a look at some of the tea fields in Japan.

"chatsumi" In Japan, the tea harvest takes place from April to May.

Bright green tea fields dotted with farmers wearing red "tasuki" sashes are a traditional early summer sight.

"chatsumi" There's even a Japanese folk song about harvesting tea.

"It's the eighty-eighth night, and summer approaches" "Fresh green covers the fields and mountains"

"What do I see there? People picking tea leaves" "Wearing a red "tasuki" sash and a straw hat"

The "eighty-eighth night", referred to lyrics, is the 88th day, counting from the beginning of spring, in the Japanese lunisolar calendar.

In Japan, tea is celebrated in ways other than just drinking it for enjoyment.

"cha no yu" "Cha no yu" is the tea ceremony.

It's also known as "sado."

Hosts welcome guests with the ritualized preparation and serving of tea.

The type of tea served is called "matcha."

Instead of infusing tea leaves in hot water, "matcha" is made from powdered green tea whisked together with hot water.

It's thick and has a slightly bitter taste, and is sipped to savor the full flavor and aroma.

"cha no yu" "wabi sabi"

"Wabi" and "sabi" are a crucial aesthetic of the tea ceremony.

"Wabi" is the purity or beauty found in simplicity, while "sabi" is the profound beauty felt in solitude and silence.

The words reflect the Japanese affinity for these qualities, rather than the extravagant perfection.

"Wabi sabi" are widely used words in English these days, but they're little understood.

When I explain them, I like to refer to this poem that is said to represent the aesthetics of the great tea master, Sen no Rikyu.

Rikyu was one of the creators of the "wabi sabi" aesthetic.

To those who wait only for the cherry blossoms,
I would like to show them spring in grasses emerging
from gaps in the snow in the mountain village.

Many people think that "wabi" should be melancholic, bleak, rustic, and somewhat dark.

But the essence of "wabi" comes from a subdued and reserved beauty, quiet in spirit, refined and pure, but its darkness should also be suggestive of the infinite possibility,

as is expressed in the grasses that are about to emerge from gaps in the snow, in the beautiful poem by Fujiwara no Ietaka.

Have you heard about tea fortunes?

"chabashira ga tatsu" According to Japanese superstition, a tea stem floating upright in a cup of tea is a good omen.

"chabashira ga tatsu" Japanese people in the past found a little happiness in their daily tea.

I used to drink black tea in my home country, Ireland, but now I prefer "bancha," which is a coarse green tea popular in Kyoto.

In Ireland, we drink tea all day.

We like our tea very strong.

So strong that we have an expression that says, "Oh, you could trot a mouse on that."

There are still many expressions that involve tea that are used today.

"ochame" "Ochame" refers to someone who is playful and charming.

It's used extensively in literature, and in daily conversation.

Even now, people say, "She's 'ochame'."

"chaban" "Chaban" is a farce or charade that's easy to see through.

It's short for "chaban kyogen," a form of improvised and amateur comedic theater.

"Chaban" originally refers to a person who prepares and serves tea to guests.

In the Edo Period, it was popular for tea servers, or "chaban," to put on impromptu short plays on the kabuki stage.

And these were known as "chaban kyogen."

These little plays were not of high enough quality to be seen by the guests, so the term began to be used to refer to acts that happen in form only.

The word is still used in business settings, for situations like this.

His appointment to the board of directors was a done deal.
Today's meeting was just a "chaban."

I hope that you were able to learn something new about Japan through tea.

But I'm worried that with all this talk, I may have exhausted you.

Let's have a cuppa, shall we?