Buddhika Weerasinghe: Women Perform a Tea Ceremony Under the Autumn Leaves.

A Japanese women perform green tea during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan. The Japanese Tea Ceremony also called the Way of Tea and Tea Art is a Japanese traditional cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of “Matcha,” powdered green tea. Tea is “Cha” in Japanese.　(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Arima, Zuihoji Temple Park Tea Ceremony is 62 years old and that event held 2^nd and 3^rd November in every year to conduct to remember the 14^th century governor Toyoyomi Hideyoshi and his tea master Sen no Rikyu. Hideyoshi was Chief Advisor to the Emperor of Japan in 14^th century and very famous, who was visit Arima and enjoyed the hot springs and tea ceremony.

Arima is famous and beautiful hot springs city located in Kobe city. Entrance ticket of tea ceremony event a person 4,500 Yen (US $ 57) .

Tea culture was firstly introduced to Japan by Tang Dynasty in the early 9^th century. However current tea ceremony culture introduced to Japan by Sen no Rikyu in around the end of 15^th century. Rikyu studied the spirit of the Tea Ceremony from his teacher Takeno Joo and adding new ideas to tea ceremony philosophy.

This ceremony take a place inside the Tea Ceremony House, it is called Chashitsu by using the very narrow and low entrance to the house. Everybody has to bow the head and respect the tea house and enter.

(Photo and test by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman performs green tea front of the customers during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman uses Hishaku made by bamboo and performs green tea front of the customer during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A customer drinks green tea during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman serves green tea for customers during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A tea ceremony master uses the Chasen made by bamboo during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Chasen made of bamboo shown during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Customers sit inside the out door tea room under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman uses Hishaku made by bamboo and performs green tea during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Three types of simple flowers shown during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Tea Master and Japanese women serve sweet, Ocasi for customers during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman serves green tea for customers and return during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women look traditional tools during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women serve green tea for customers and return over the traditional tobacco ashtray during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women serve green tea bowls for customers during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A customer drinks green tea during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman uses Hishaku made by bamboo and performs green tea front of the customers during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Traditional umbrella use during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman performs green tea during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Hishaku made of bamboo which is used to put water into green tea bowels, shown duringthe outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Tea Masters arrange the Chagama during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women bow their heads during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman serves green tea bowls for customers during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A customer drinks green tea during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Chashaku made of bamboo that is used to put green tea powder into tea bowls, shown during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Customers drink green tea over the Chagama and Hishaku, tools during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese women perform green tea during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women look tea bowls during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Hishaku made of bamboo which is used to put water into green tea bowels, shown during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Japanese woman cleans the Chashaku during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A Chasen made of bamboo shown during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Green tea bowls ready to serve during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women look their tea bowls during the outdoor tea ceremony under the colorful autumn leaves at Zuihoji Temple Park, Arima on November 3, 2011 in Kobe, Japan.(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)