Bowl of rice with a flower on a tatami mat poster

Bowl of rice with a flower, on a tatami mat. Copyright: Asia Images Group The Japanese tea ceremony , also called the Way of Tea , is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha , powdered green tea . In Japanese , it is called chanoyu (茶の湯) or chadō (茶道; also pronounced sadō ? ) . The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called otemae (お手前; お点前 ? ) . Zen Buddhism was a primary influence in the development of the tea ceremony . Tea gatherings are classified as chakai (茶会 ? ) or chaji (茶事 ? ) . A chakai is a relatively simple course of hospitality that includes confections, thin tea (薄茶 , usucha ? ) , and perhaps a light meal. A chaji is a much more formal gathering, usually including a full-course kaiseki meal followed by confections, thick tea (濃茶 , koicha ? ) , and thin tea. A chaji can last up to four hours. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.