Chaji

Chaji is a formal, full-length event in the Japanese tea ceremony, also known as chadō or chanoyu. The term, written with the characters for tea and event, denotes a complete tea gathering conducted in a tea room (chashitsu). A chaji centers on the preparation and serving of tea using traditional utensils and procedures, often including both koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea).

Typically, a chaji is hosted by the tea master (teishu) for a small group of guests. The occasion may include a seasonally chosen meal, usually a kaiseki course, served before the tea portion; in other cases, a light meal is provided. The ceremony follows a prescribed sequence that emphasizes calm movement, precise etiquette, and the mindful appreciation of utensils, bowls, and seasonal décor.

The length of a chaji varies but commonly lasts several hours and can extend to a full day. It is distinguished from chakai, a shorter form that offers one or two servings of tea without a full meal. In many schools of chanoyu, such as Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Mushanokoji-senke, chaji represents an opportunity to demonstrate and transmit technique, aesthetics, and the philosophy of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.