• Requesting instruction from the Teacher:

    "Please teach me, "Bon-Ryaku-demae". ("Usucha-demae", etc.)

    "Bon-Ryaku-demae no (o)keiko onegai itashimau."

    Greetings from Kyaku to Sensei.  (Kyaku=guests)(Sensei=Teacher)

    Greetings between Teishu and Kyaku. (Teishu=Host)

    Greetings, Shôkyaku and other Kyaku. (Shôkyaku=Primary Guest)

    "Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu."

     

    The host asks the guest to take the sweets:

    "Please take the sweet."

    "Okashi wo dozo."

     

    The first guest says to the second guest:

    The second guest says to the third guest:

    "Allow me to take the sweet before you."

    "Allow me to drink the tea before you."

    "Osakini."

     

    The second guest says to the first guest:

    "I would like to enjoy the tea with you."

     "Oshôban itashimasu."

     

    The guest says to the host:

    I received the tea which the host made.

    "Otemae chôdai Itashimasu."

     

    To stop the host from making more tea:

    "Please close the procedure."

    The first guest says, "Dôzo oshimai kudasai."

    The host responds,: "(Soredeha)Oshimai ni itashimasu."

     

    Requesting for Haiken:      (Haiken=look closer)

    "I would like to see Natsume and Chashaku."

    "Onatsume, Ochashaku no Haiken wo."

     

    The first guest asks to the host about tea utensils:

    "Thank you for showing utensils."

        "Odôgu no haiken arigatô gozaimashita."

     

    "What shape of Natsume?"    (Natsume=Thin tea container)

    "Onatsume no okatachi wa?"

    "Rikyû shape middle size of a tea container."

    "Rikyû gata chû natsume de gozaimasu."

    "Who made it?"

    "Onuri wa?"

    "Sôtetsu made."

    "Sôtetsu de gozaimasu."

     

    "Who made it?"

    "Ochashaku no osaku wa?"

    "Zabôsai Oiemoto made."

    "Zabôsai Oiemoto de gozaimasu."

     

    "What is the name of it?"

    "Gomei wa?"

    "It is "Good day"."

    "Kôjitsu de gozaimasu."

    "Thank you."

    "Arigatô gozai mashita."

     

    Thanking the teacher for your lessons, after the individual lesson;

    "Thank you for the lesson."

    "Okeiko arigatô gozai mashita."

     

    Greetings, the guests to the teacher

    Greetings between the host and guest

    Greeting the first guest

    "Thank you."

    "Arigatô gozai mashita." 

  • The first guest says to the second guest:

    The second guest says to the third guest:

    "Allow me to take the sweet before you."

    "Osakini."

     

    Shokyaku (the first guest) asks the host about tea.

    "Thank you for the tea."

    "Oishiku chôdai itashi mashita."

    "What is the name of tea?"

    "Ochamei wa?"

    "Aoarashi de gozaimasu."

    "What is the tea manufacture?"

    "Otsume wa?"

    "Made by Koyama-en."

    "Koyama-en de gozaimasu."

    "Thank you."

    "Arigatô gozai mashita."

    OR

    ("Thank you for the sweet in previous session.")

    ("Zenseki deha okashi wo arigatô gozaimashita.")

     

    The first guest asks the last guest to see the bowl.

    "I would like to see the bowl."

    "Haiken-wo."

     

    The first guest asks the host about the tea bowl.

    "What kind of tea bowl?"

    "Kichizaemon de gozaimasu."

     

    The host closes the procedure:

    "I am going to close."

    "Ichiyô oshimai ni itashimasu."

     

    The first guest requests the host about Haiken:      (Haiken=look closer)

    "I would like to see Chaire, Chashaku and Shifuku."

    "Ochaire, Ochashaku, Oshifuku no Haiken wo."

     

    The first guest asks the host about tea utensils:

    "Thank you for showing utensils."

        "Odôgu no haiken arigatô gozaimashita."

     

    "What shape of chaire?"    (Chaire=Thick tea container)

    "Ochaire no okatachi wa?"

             "The shape of Katatsuki."

    "Katatsuki de gozaimasu."

    "What is the kiln?"

    "Okamamoto wa?"

    "It is made in Seto."

    "Seto de gozaimasu."

     

    "Who made the chashaku?"

    "Ochashaku no osaku wa?"

    "Zabôsai Oiemoto made."

    "Zabôsai Oiemoto de gozaimasu."

     

     

    "What is the name of it?"

    "Gomei wa?"

    "It is "Good day"."

    "Kôjitsu de gozaimasu."

    "Oshifuku no okireji wa?"

    "Yoshino kantô de gozaimasu."

    "Oshitate wa?"

    "Yûko de gozaimasu."

    "Thank you."

    "Arigatô gozai mashita."

     

    Thanking the teacher for your lessons, after the individual lesson;

    "Thank you for the lesson."

    "Okeiko arigatô gozai mashita."

     

    Greetings the guests to the teacher

    Greetings between the host and guest

    Greeting the first guest

    "Thank you."

    "Arigatô gozai mashita." 

     

     

     

Okeiko Dialogue

Beautiful Words in The Way of Tea - Chashaku (Tea Scoop) 茶杓の名

  • 初音（ウグイス) (hatsune) the first song of a bird in spring
    福寿草(fukujusou) adonia(flower’s name)
    翁(ouna) an old man
    神楽(kagura), this music is dedicated to God
    一声(鶴の最初の声）(issei) the first cry of a crane
    慶雲(keiun) golden clouds(a happy symbol)
    寿老人(juroujin) a long-lived man
    霊亀(reiki) a wise turtle(a happy symbol)
    若菜(wakana) young tender sprouts
    松竹梅(shouchikubai) pine bamboo・plum(happy symbols)
    玉津島(tamatsushima) one of islands in Japan
    富士(fuji) the tallest mountain in Japan
    千歳(chitose)(senzai) ten- century(happy word)
    初霞(hatsugasumi) the first mist of a year
    蓬莱(hourai) one of the three great mountains in China
    万歳(bansei)(banzai) cheer
    三輪(mitsuwa) three circles(a kind of family symbol)

  • ふきのとう(fukinoto), a butterbur sprout(a kind of plant),
    年男 (toshiotoko) people who were born under the same zodiac sign

    福豆(fukumame) beans we use to defeat demons on Feb.3rd. every year 雪花(sekka) snow appears to be flowers
    梅ごろも(umegoromo) Kimonos that are decorated with plum blossoms
    梅ごよみ(umegoyomi) plum blossoms tell us spring is here
    紅梅(koubai) red plum blossoms
    風花(kazahana) snow that is blown by the wind like cherry blossom petals
    春雪(shunsetsu) spring snow
    つづき梅(tsuzukiume), a kind of plum blossom
    如月(kisaragi) an ancient Japanese word for February
    下萌ゆ(shitamoyu) bud peeping out of the ground before it is discovered
    淡雪(awayuki) spring snow that melts easily
    寂光(jakko) wisdom light
    えびなの梅(ebina no ume) plum blossoms of Ebina(name of town)

  • さわらび(sawarabi) sprouts which grow in the early spring
    桃の節句(momo no sekku) girl’s festival(doll’s festival) on Mar.3rd
    つくも(tsukumo) a kind of plant
    ひな祭り(hinamatsuri) the same meaning as the above MOMO NO SEKKU
    五人囃子(goninbayashi) five musician of ancient Japanese music
    春雨(harusame) spring time drizzle
    残雪(zansetsu)
    春宵(shunshou) remaining snow on the top of a mountain early evening in spring
    西江せうこう水すい（利休忌にちなんで一口吸尽いっくきゅうじんす西江せいこうの水みず。利休は古渓和尚に参じこの句で悟った）
    雲雀(hibari) this word is from Zen Buddism

  • 麦踏み(mugifumi) this word is from Zen Buddism farmars step on the early sprouts of wheat to make them stronger(old Japanese custom)
    雲雀(hibari) a sky lark
    都の華(miyako no hana) a gorgeous Kyoto
    不如帰(hototogisu) a kind of bird
    摘草(tsumikusa) picking spring sprouts
    三吉野(miyoshino) a place name
    嵯峨野(sagano) one of the famous places in Kyoto
    花たより(hanatayori) the indication as to whether the Cherry blossoms have bloomed
    花の宴(hana no en) a celebration of the season of the cherry blossoms
    花吹雪(hanafubuki) cherry blossoms are blown by wind like a snowstorm 花曇り(hanagumori) a cloudy day in spring 花ごろも(hanagoromo) the pink kimono which we wear in spring 霞ごろも(kasumigoromo) a particular pattern of kimono is shown cloudy and hazy spring day （下旬には）during the end of April
    うす緑(usumidori) the light green color of shoots
    青緑(seiryoku) the bluish green color of young leaves
    清楓(seifuu) the light green color of maple leaves

  • 五月雨(samidare) the bluish green color of young leaves the light green color of maple leaves continuous rain in May(of the lunar calendar)
    五月晴れ(satsukibare) a fine day in May
    深緑(shinryoku) the bright green color of leaves
    鵜飼い(ukai) river fishing for which we use birds(cormorant)
    薫風(kunpuu) breeze in May
    雲雀野(hibarino)breeze in May
    早苗(sanae) breeze in May
    早乙女(saotome)breeze in May
    鯉のぼり(koinobori) in May Japanese traditionally create decorative carps(fish) of cloth or paper
    さわらべの蛍(sawarabe no hotaru) lightning bugs flying at the riverside
    松陰(shyouin) the cool shade of pine trees
    鈴の音(suzu no ne) 鈴の音(suzu no ne)

  • 緑陰(ryokuin) the shade of trees with green leaves
    水無月(minazuki) the shade of trees with green leaves
    苔清水(kokeshimizu) the shade of trees with green leaves
    飛龍(hiryu) the shade of trees with green leaves
    清瞬(seishun)the shade of trees with green leaves
    乱れ箱(midarebako) a lacquered box holding combs and hair brushes

  • 夏木立(natsukodachi) a leafy tree in summer
    七夕(tanabata) a leafy tree in summer
    星祭り(hoshimatsuri) a leafy tree in summer
    清流(seiryuu) a leafy tree in summer
    涼風(ryoufuu) a leafy tree in summer
    星の光(hoshinohikari) a leafy tree in summer
    神詣で(kamimoude)a leafy tree in summer
    かがり火（kagaribi)a leafy tree in summer
    祇園囃子(gionbayashi) Japanese traditional music which is played at Gion Festival in July in Kyoto.
    夏祭り(natsumatsuri) a summer festival
    蛍狩り(hotarugari) an event to enjoy the viewing of lightning bugs

  • 岩清水(iwashimizu)spring water which flows among rocks
    清流(seiryuu) a pure stream
    ひぐらし(higurashi) a kind of cicada (下旬にはduring the end of August
    鈴虫(suzumushi) a kind of cricket that makes a sweet “bell-sound”
    夕凪(yuunagi)a welcome cool breeze that blows early in the evening

  • 月影(tsukikage) a shadow made by the bright moon’s glow
    雲間の月(kumoma no tsuki) the moon peeks from behind the clouds
    虫の声(mushi no koe) the sounds of crickets in early autumn
    こぼれ萩(koborehagi) Hagi is the Japanese typical flower in autumn. the condition that the ground was covered with Hagi flower petals
    萩の露(hagi no tsuyu) the dew from the Hagi flowers
    秋声(syuusei) the sounds of autumn such as the blowing wind
    望月(mochizuki)
    残月(zangetsu) the full moon the moon that remains until the dawn
    萩の宿(hagi no yado) a shabby inn surrounded by Hagi flowers
    千代の友(chiyo no tomo) an eternal friend
    小夜衣(sayogoromo) warmer bedclothes for autumn
    初雁(hatsukari) earliest migrating wild geese fly back from north
    露(tsuyu) the dew
    白露(hakuro) about two weeks before the Autumn Equinox

  • 祭り(akimatsuri) Autumun festival
    鳴子(naruko) clappers
    実り(minori) the harvest season
    菊露(kikutsuyu) the dew on chrysanthemum
    里の秋(sato no aki) Fall in the village
    秋晴(akibare) clear autumun sky
    案山子(kakashi) a scarecrow
    村雀(murasuzume) sparrows in the village
    竜田川(tatsutagawa) the river that is famous for colored leaves in Nara Prefecture
    砧(kinuta) ancient women hit clothes with the Kinuta to make it soften
    山雀(yamagara) a kind of bird

  • さ牡鹿(saojika) a buck
    初霜(hatsushimo) the first frost
    落葉(rakuyou) falling leaves
    木枯らし(kogarashi) a buck the first frost falling leaves cold winter wind
    村時雨(murashigure) light rain falls in the village
    鹿の友(shika no tomo) friends of deer 冬支度(fuyujitaku) preparation for the winter cold
    砧(kinuta) ancient women hit clothes with the Kinuta to make it soften
    霜柱(shimobashira) frost pillars
    柴の庵(shiba no an) a hut made of brush
    末枯(uragare) the gray landscape with bare branches
    小倉山(ogurayama) a kind of mountain 時雨(shigure) shower in late autumn 田面(tazura) the fields are left with dry rice stocks 柑子(kouji)
    甘い果実 a sweet mandarin

  • 無事(buji) peace & quietness
    思い出(omoide) memories
    語らい(katarai) peace & quietness memories chatting
    年の市(toshi no ichi) the markets are opened to sell what is needed to welcome the new year
    師走(shiwasu) ancient Japanese word for December
    炉端(robata)fire side
    夜話(yobanashi) ancient Japanese word for December fire side winter’s bedtime story
    昔語り(mukashikatari) the old story that elders tell to young people
    弧月(kogetsu) 物寂しく見える月the frosty moon
    埋火（uzumibi) embers
    雪折(yukiore) branches are heavy with snow
    木守(komori) a remaining persimmon protects its tree
    月迫(geppaku)月末特に12月末 month end(particularly we use for the end of December)
    都鳥(miyakodori) a kind of seagull
    白雁(hakugan) snow geese

  • 古今の友(kokon no tomo) a best friend
    洗心(senshin) clear your mind
    清心(seishin) have a clean mind
    無心(mushin)a pure heart
    静寂(seijaku) tranquility
    好日(koujitsu) a good day
    古今(kokon) always the same
    喫茶去(kissako)⇔禅語でお茶でも召し上がれの意味 Why don’t you drink the tea?

The Study System

Practice constitutes learning from one, becoming cognizant of ten, then returning from ten to one, the beginning.

This poem is from the collection known as Rikyū’s Didactic Verses. It teaches us that it is important not only to master the fundamentals but also to continually return to them. As we advance step-by-step in our practice, we must regularly return to the fundamentals.

The study system is based on kyojō, or licenses, and shikaku, or qualifications. At certain points as one advances in this orderly course of study, one becomes eligible for consideration to receive the qualification appropriate for one’s level of achievement.

Qualifications and Licenses

Qualification License Description
Beginner（初級） Nyūmon（入門） Nyūmon, or “entrance into the Urasenke gate,” begins with learning how to bow, and learning the basic methods for folding and using the fukusa, folding and using the chakin, and so forth, which are fundamental to all of the procedures that follow. Each of these is taught separately in a process called warigeiko, or “divided practice.” Then the new student learns the basic temae for preparing usucha. After usucha, the student will be taught the basic temae for koicha, and also for laying the charcoal.
Konarai（小習） The konarai, or “specific practices,” consist of sixteen temae that cultivate the ability to handle various particular circumstances.
Chabakodate（茶箱点） These temae involve the use of a chabako, or portable “tea box” containing the tea implements.
Intermediate Student（中級） Satsubako（茶通箱） This temae involves serving the guest two varieties of koicha.
Karamonodate（唐物点） This temae is to learn the special technique for handling a karamono chaire.
Daitenmoku（台天目） This temae teaches the technique for handling a tenmoku style tea bowl placed on a tenmoku stand (dai).
Bondate（盆点） This temae involves a karamono chaire set on a tray, and its focus is to learn the deferential handling of a meibutsu or comparable chaire.
Wakindate（和巾点） This koicha temae was created specifically for using a kobukusa made of fabric received from a notable person. A wooden nakatsugi caddy is used for the tea powder.
Upper-level Student / 4th-degree Instructor（上級／助講師） Gyō-no-gyō daisu（行之行台子） This temae constitutes the basis of the “deeper secrets” (okuhi). It employs a daisu utensil stand and implements arranged on it in the style called midare kazari, or “unmatched display.”
Daien-no-sō（大円草） This temae, an additional one among the “deeper secrets,” features the use of a large round tray (daienbon).
Hikitsugi（引次） This is the initial teaching license. Instructors holding Hikitsugi may apply for licenses through Gyō-no-gyō daisu for their students.
3rd-degree Instructor（講師） Shin-no-gyō daisu（真之行台子） This temae, also called okugi (secret essence of temae), embodies the fundamentals of the most advanced stage of chadō. It employs a formal shindaisu (black-lacquered daisu utensil stand).
Daien-no-shin（大円真） This temae, an additional one among the “deeper secrets,” features the use of a large round tray (daienbon) and shindaisu.
Sei-hikitsugi（正引次） Instructors holding this teaching license may apply for licenses through Shin-no-gyō daisu for their students.
2nd-degree Instructor（専任講師） Chamei and Monkyo（茶名・紋許） A chamei “tea name” is also referred to as a sōmei, as it always begins with the kanji 宗, pronounced “sō.” The Iemoto may grant a chamei, together with permission to wear the Urasenke “tsubotsubomon” crest, to an instructor who holds Sei-hikitsugi. With these, the instructor is simultaneously elevated to the rank of 2nd-degree instructor. Instructors holding this qualification may apply for licenses through Sei-hikitsugi for their students.
1st-degree Instructor（助教授） Junkyōju（準教授） Instructors holding this teaching license may apply for licenses through Chamei and Monkyo for their students.

The successive categories and temae described above constitute the basic Urasenke curriculum, referred to as the kaiden 皆伝 (“initiation”). There are many more temae than these, and several higher teaching licenses.