Japanology Plus: Season 2017, Episode 35

2017 - 35: The Way of Tea: Wellspring of Omotenashi, Part 2

Elaborate tea ceremony etiquette reveals the roots of Japan's devotion to "omotenashi": mindful hospitality. Unlike conventional service industry hospitality, the expectation with omotenashi is that the guest will also contribute to the success of the experience. This time we explore the role played by the guest, and consider how the tea ceremony mindset plays out in everyday Japanese life. Our expert guide is tea master Sochi Yamamoto, who has been a student of the Urasenke school of tea for 23 years.