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Learning Japanese

Japanese for Tea Ceremony, Ikebana and Calligraphy Students

By the Hanabuddies team · · 2 min read

To study a Japanese traditional art such as tea ceremony (茶道, sadō), flower arranging (華道 or 生け花, ikebana) or calligraphy (書道, shodō), you mainly need polite set phrases, the names of the tools and movements, and the manners of a lesson with a teacher. Many teachers in Japan teach only in Japanese, and much of the learning is by watching and copying, so even basic Japanese helps you follow along, ask questions and show respect.

Phrases for any traditional arts class

  • よろしくお願いいたします。 Said at the start of a lesson: “thank you for teaching me.”
  • ありがとうございました。 At the end of the lesson.
  • もう一度お願いできますか。 Could you show me once more?
  • これで合っていますか。 Is this right?
  • 失礼いたします。 Excuse me (entering or leaving the room).

Teachers are addressed as 先生. Our guide to Japanese honorifics explains how titles work.

Tea ceremony (sadō)

As a guest, you’ll hear and say a few fixed phrases:

  • お先に頂戴いたします。 Said to the next guest before you take a sweet or your tea: “excuse me for going first.”
  • お点前頂戴いたします。 Said to the host before drinking: “I gratefully receive your tea.”
  • 結構なお点前でした。 After drinking: a compliment on the host’s preparation.

Useful words: 抹茶 (powdered green tea), 茶碗 (tea bowl), 茶筅 (bamboo whisk), 和菓子 (Japanese sweets), 正座 (sitting on your heels). If seiza is hard for you, it’s fine to ask: 足を崩してもよろしいですか (may I sit more comfortably?).

Ikebana

  • 花材 (kazai): the flowers and branches used.
  • 花器: the vase or container.
  • 剣山 (kenzan): the spiked holder that keeps stems in place.
  • 流派 (ryūha): the school or style you study.
  • 直していただけますか。 Could you correct my arrangement?

Teachers often adjust your arrangement with a few cuts and then explain why. Asking どうしてここを切ったんですか (why did you cut here?) is a good way to learn.

Calligraphy (shodō)

  • 筆 (brush), 墨 (ink), 硯 (inkstone), 半紙 (practice paper).
  • お手本: the model you copy.
  • とめ・はね・はらい: stopping, flicking and sweeping, the three ways a stroke can end.
  • 書き順: stroke order, which matters here more than anywhere else.

Knowing basic kanji and stroke order makes calligraphy far more rewarding. See how to learn kanji and Japanese handwriting practice.

Studying in Japan or with a Japanese teacher abroad

  • Prepare a short self-introduction in polite Japanese. See how to introduce yourself in Japanese.
  • Learn the vocabulary of your art before your first lesson, so you can follow the demonstration.
  • Expect few explanations and a lot of watching. Asking good questions politely is welcome.
  • After a longer course, a thank-you letter is a lovely gesture. See writing to a Japanese sensei.

How Hanabuddies can help

A native tutor can teach you the phrases, vocabulary and manners for your art before you start, and practise the conversations you’ll have with your teacher. If you’d like to write to a teacher or school in Japan, we can help with that too.