Wabi-cha

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Wabi-cha (わび茶、侘茶、侘び茶）is a style of Japanese tea ceremony particularly associated with Sen no Rikyu and Takeno Jōō that emphasises simplicity. The term came into use in the Edo era, prior to which it was known as wabi-suki (侘数寄).

[edit] History

By the latter years of the Muromachi period tea ceremony had become widespread, with a preference for expensive wares of Chinese origin (known as karamono). Wabi-cha evolved as part of a movement to appreciate local wares and more simple styles.

Rikyu began designing his own tea wares, sometimes having them made by local craftsmen. Rikyu had a preference for the rustic simplicity of raku wares, and even created his own objects to use in the tea room, including bamboo he cut himself.

Rikyu also refined the art of tea house design, with a preference for very simple and very small tea rooms, often of only two mats, and natural building materials, with little decoration.

[edit] Modern wabi-cha

Ironically, in modern times achieving the aura of rustic simplicity demanded by wabi-cha can be an expensive endeavour. Even the simple, cheap items used by Rikyu and his followers have gained both status and value: authentic raku tea bowls, for example, are among the most expensive available today, and among the most sought after. Similarly, creating the look of simplicity promoted by Rikyu for tea rooms can also be very expensive.