Cha-Kaiseki

[jkonick]

I found a thread from a while ago about kaiseki, but it didn't have much info about cha-kaiseki, or the meal served at the tea ceremony. Although it follows the same general rules as a regular kaiseki, I know there are some differences. Does anyone know anything about this? Or know of any websites with info (preferably in English).

[tokyogurumegal]

Cha kaiseki is traditionally vegetarian although you will find sometimes sashimi and some meat dishes are served recently. It starts with a soup dish (there could be one or two) then about 3 vegetable dishes that are "shun" meaning in season along with pickles and rice. It's not my most favourite form of Japanese food... I associate sore knees from sitting in seiza position (knees tucked in doing wonders to your knee ligaments) for a good hour to four hours! It's really not about the food, rather the ritual and discipline behind the tea ceremony. Dishes used and presentation is very important too. I'm sorry I don't have any web sites that I can recommend but if you google cha kaiseki there's lots that show up. Also try words like omotesenke, urasenke, senorikyu etc... I can ask my teacher in Japan questions too but she's getting up there in age!

[Culinista]

Victoria Abbott Riccardi wrote a memoir about studying cha-kaiseki in Kyoto called "Untangling My Chopsticks." You may find it interesting.

[Hiroyuki]

giantbee and I posted about the two kaiseki's here.

[Hiroyuki]

Just in case you haven't found the kaiseki entry in Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiseki

[jkonick]

Thanks for the info Hiroyuki and Tokyogurumegal.

Tokyogurumegal, I definitely agree about seiza - very painful! Especially with big runner/biker's legs like mine. And thanks for the offer to talk to your teacher, but actually I'm taking a class now on the tea ceremony, so I can talk to my teacher as well. I'm doing research on cha-kaiseki for a paper, but also it's become something of an interest of mine since taking the class. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of definitive information about it in English.