Zen and the Art of the Tea Ceremony

Syllabus

Spring 2004

Florida International University

 

Instructor:  Eric Messersmith, Ph.D.

                     Email:  messerse@fiu.edu

                    

Course Orientation:   This course covers the history, theory, and practice of Chado, or Way of Tea, a Zen-inspired art that has had a long-lasting influence on Japanese society.  Lectures  will focus on aesthetics and cultural history supplemented by slides, films, and most importantly participation as host and guest in preparing tea. This course is mentally and physically challenging.  It is recommended that students spend time outside class exercising and stretching specific leg muscles in order to sit in formal Japanese fashion for extended periods.

 

Goals:                         The goal for students completing this course will be to develop a sufficient understanding and the skills necessary to continue Chado as part of everyday life.

                                   

Requirements:           Attendance and punctuality are of primary importance to excel in this class. Readings must be completed prior to class in order to participate in discussions.  All students must keep a detailed notebook of all materials acquired during the semester.  This notebook will be collected at the mid-term and final exam for grading by the instructor. All notes taken should be included in this volume.  Students should wear loose slacks or long skirts and bring a pair of clean white socks to wear while walking and sitting on the tatami mats.

 

Required Texts:         Sen Shoshitsu XV.  The Japanese Way of Tea.  Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1998

 

                                    H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan.  Honolulu:  University of Honolulu Press, 1989

 

                                    Sen Soshitsu XV. Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Urasenke Foundation, Kyoto Japan, 1980

 

                                   

Week 1           Introduction; Tea in Ancient China; Aesthetic Origins

 

                        Reading: Sen Soshitsu XV. The Japanese Way of Tea Pp. 3-43

H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 1

                        Practice Session: Layout of Tea Room; Entering the Tea Room;

                                                     Basic Etiquette; Sitting/Standing/Posture

 

Week 2           Japan Before Tea;  Shinto; Buddhism

                        Reading                        Handouts from Instructor

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1. Depending on class progress

                        Practice Session: Wari geiko (handling various utensils properly)

                                                    Nomenclature of utensils (Vocabulary)

                                                    Sitting/Standing/Posture practice

                                                    Review of Basic Etiquette

 

Week 3           Classical Aesthetic Values

                        Reading:           H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 3

                        Handouts from Instructor

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                        Practice Session:  Wari geiko cont.

                                                     Nomenclature of utensils

                                                     Sitting/Standing practice      

                                                    

 

Week 4           Introduction of Tea to Japan

                        Reading:  The Japanese Way of Tea.  Pp. 47-74

                        H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 4

                        Handouts from Instructor

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1. Progress dependent

                        Vocabulary Quiz #1

                        Practice Session:  Wari geiko cont.

                                                     Nomenclature of utensils

                                                     Host/Guest etiquette (vocabulary practice)

                                                     Zazen/Breathing

 

Week 5           The Medieval Age

                        Reading: 

                        H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 5

                        Handouts from Instructor

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                        Practice Session:  Bon Demae

                                                     Zazen

 

Week 6           Field Trip to Morikami  (Date subject to change)

                        Assignment: Essay; The Relevance of Tea in Modern Times

 

Week 7           Zen Buddhism 

                        Reading:  H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 6

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                        Mid-term Review

                        Practice Session:  Bon Demae

                                                      Zazen

 

Week 8           Mid-term exam

                        Collection of Student Notebooks for grading

 

Week 9           The Evolution of Chanoyu

                        Reading:  The Japanese Way of Tea, Pp. 75-115

                        H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 7

                        Handouts from the Instructor

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                        Practice Session:  Bon Demae

                                                     Zazen

 

Week 10         Murata Shuko and Disciples

                        Reading:  The Japanese Way of Tea, Pp. 119-157

                        H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 8

                        Handouts from the Instructor

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                                                Practice Session:  Bon Demae

                                                     Zazen

 

Week 11         Sen no Rikyu

                        Reading:  H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 2

                        Handouts from Instructor

                        The Japanese Way of Tea. Pp. 158-188

                        Video:  Sen no Rikyu

                        Vocabulary Quiz #2

 

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                        Practice Session:  Bon Demae

                                                      Zazen

 

Week 12         Chanoyu in the Tokugawa Period

                        Reading: H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 9

                        Handouts from the Instructor

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                        Practice Session:  Bon Demae  

                                                     Zazen

 

Week 13         The Modern Age

                        Reading:  H. Paul Varley.  Tea in Japan Chapt. 10

                        Chanoyu Handbook #1.  Progress dependent

                        Vocabulary Quiz #3

                        Review for Final Exam

 

Week 14         Performance Final Exam (1/2 of class)

                        Essay Final Exam (1/2 of class)

 

Week 15         Performance Final Exam (1/2 of class)

                        Essay Final Exam (1/2 of class)

 

Grading for this course will be as follows:

 

                        Short Essay (6-8 pages)           10%

 

                        Vocabulary Quizzes:                 10%

 

                        Mid-term Exam                        20%

                        (including notebook)

 

                        Performance at Practice            40%

                        Sessions (includes attendance)

 

                        Final Exam                               20%                                        

                        (Performance as host/guest)      (10)

                        Essay                                       (10)