Classic Tea Set

There are many types of world classic tea sets that I have come across; some of them from centuries ago with small beautiful inscriptions that leave one wondering how the artisan put all the details in the teapots, cups and bowls. I’m still to appreciate that the Turkish tea sets were all made by hand during the ottoman empire era and are still made by hand today meaning that there is not one single Turkish tea set that is the same as the other even to date. If you are a fan of Arabian nights and such like tales, I’m sure you will be at home with the Arabian tea set, which is not so different from the Turkish tea sets due to the influence of Islamic culture in both. Classic tea sets include the Chinese ones and others from the Ethiopian kingdom of Menelik II. The one that caught my fancy however, and still does is the classic Japanese tea set consisting of a tray pot, a tray and some cups and bowls.

In the Japanese culture, every day is a celebration and every tea ceremony a celebration deserving of a classic Japanese tea set. The Japanese tea sets are intended to perform the duty of serving tea in the highly disciplined Japanese tea ceremony. Although a preserve of the high and mighty in those days, the Japanese tea ceremony is now a cultural celebration of all Japanese and many tea clubs and groups have been formed in Japan to preserve this culture. Pottery and the creation of these tea sets were an apprentice art in those days, and the art was passed down from father to son and for generations afterwards. You will marvel at the art and design that has been put in the creation of a Japanese classic tea set.

There are two kinds of Japanese tea sets: one for the day to day tea and the other for the formal Japanese tea ceremony which is preserved for special guests. They come in many colors sizes and designs. Some are made of clay and others of cast iron. The Japanese tea ceremony is not only about the tea and the guests; it is also about the cutlery and a part of the ceremony is set aside for the guest to admire the tea set and ask the host more questions about the designs made on it; at which point the host is supposed to explain the meaning of the its patterns and impress their guests.