Culinary Kimono

The Japanese takes their traditional culinary arts of cooking very seriously. Not only they ensure their food is prepared to perfection in both taste and presentation, they also pride themselves in the culinary arts of tea ceremony.

The Japanese tea ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony is a ritual way of preparing and drinking Japanese powdered green tea. The Japanese tea ceremony custom has been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism. The tea ceremony itself consists of many detailed steps that have to be learned by heart and performed to perfection.

A formal Japanese tea ceremony involves a meal and two servings of tea and the ceremony lasts approximately four hours. To the outside world, it seems like Japanese tea ceremonies are too detailed and long winded. But, it is one of Japan's most cherished form of culinary arts.

Kimono for culinary arts of tea ceremony

To achieve perfection, the tea host or hostess may have attended a specialized culinary school for tea ceremonial skills, taken many culinary arts courses of tea making, and spent decades mastering not only the measured procedures for serving tea in front of guests, but also learning to appreciate this form of culinary arts, crafts, poetry and calligraphy; and learning to arrange flowers, cook and care for a garden; at the same time instilling in himself or herself grace, selflessness and attentiveness to the needs of others.

Culinary kimono for special occasions

Since the Japanese culture holds the tea ceremony to the highest standard, the Japanese people always dress up for the tea ceremonies. Many people have special kimono, the culinary kimono, kept especially for use at culinary events such as the tea ceremony.

Japanese tea set