A. originally B. cultivated C. served D. documented E. unlike F. consists G. support H. habit I. relatively J. private K. presentation
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and (41)_______ of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called chanoyu or chado. The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called otem. The tea ceremony is a ritual way of preparing and drinking tea. The custom has been strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism.
Tea was (42)_______ brought to Japan in the 9th century, by the Buddhist monk Eichu, who had returned to Japan from China. This is the first (43)_______ evidence of tea in Japan . By imperial order in the year 816, tea plantations began to be (44)_______ in the Kinki region of Japan. However, the interest in tea in Japan faded after this.
Nowadays, the ceremony is a (45)_______ popular kind of hobby. Many Japanese, who are interested in their own culture, take tea ceremony lessons with a teacher. Tea ceremonies are held in traditional Japanese rooms in cultural community centers or (46)_______ houses. The ceremony itself (47)_______ of many rituals that have to be learned by heart. Almost each hand movement is prescribed. Basically the tea is first prepared by the host, and then drunk by the guests. The tea is bitter green tea made of powdered tea leaves.
Green tea is drunk everywhere and at any time of the day. (48)_______ English tea, Japanese green tea is (49)_______ in cups without a handle and is never drunk with sugar or cream. The most polite way of drinking green tea is to hold the cup with one hand and (50)_______ it from below with the other hand.