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Background Research - Chawan (Japanese Tea Bowl)

1. Read this article about the Japanese tea ceremony and answer the following questions.

  • What is the tea ceremony called in Japanese?
  • What religion was first associated with the Japanese tea ceremony?
  • When did tea ceremonies begin in Japan?
  • Why is there a ritual around drinking tea?
  • From what culture did the Japanese tea bowl originate from?

2. Read this article "Kodai - What's the Fuss About the Foot" and explain why the foot is an important part of a tea bowl.

3. Search for "chawan" in Google Images. List 4 characteristics of Japanese tea bowls that you noticed by looking at images of chawan.