Chashitsu or Teahouse. The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, involves the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea.
Zen Buddhism was a primary influence in the development of the Way of Tea. It is counted as one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement, along with kōdō for incense appreciation, and kadō for flower arrangement.
The guests and host sit seiza-style (kneeling) on the floor. All materials used are intentionally simple and rustic. The architectural style is referred to as “Sukiya” style. Usually a chashitsu’s main room has a floor size of 4.5 tatami mats. However, some are smaller. In Japan room sizes are measured in terms of how many tatami mats they accommodate.
Chashitsu feature shoji windows and doors, tatami mats and a tokonoma alcove for a flower arrangement and scroll. Traditional chasitsu have an irori (a sunken hearth) on which to boil a hanging iron kettle. A freestanding chashitsu will have a roji (garden path) leading to it. There is always a second room or mizuya where the host prepares the sweets and equipment.
Windows are generally small and covered with shōji, which allows natural light to filter in. The windows are not intended to provide a view to the outside, which would detract from the participants' concentration.
Chashitsu are broadly classified according to whether they have a floor area larger or smaller than 4.5 tatami, a differentiation which affects the style of ceremony that can be conducted, the specific type of equipment and decoration that can be used, the placement of various architectural features and the hearth, and the number of guests that can be accommodated.
As part of my exhibition of Japanese Icons, Old and New, this is the subset of Architecture and Gardens - Old.