How is the tea ceremony carried out?

In winter, tea is served in a closed room, while in summer, the ceremony can take place in a garden.
If you want to  immerse yourself in traditional Japan  and watch a tea master prepare it during a ceremony, it is better to know how the ritual is carried out so that you do not make any mistakes.
The ceremony has several specific stages that are always the same. It takes a lifetime of practice to become a tea master and today there are schools that teach ancient methods to perpetuate the tradition and not lose this cultural richness.

These are the different stages of the tea ritual: How is the tea ceremony carried out?

Preparation:  The tea master traditionally sends invitations to his guests. Then he prepares spiritually for the ceremony, eliminating any thoughts from his mind to be in total harmony with nature. You should also clean the teahouse and tatami mats. If there is to be food, you must prepare it in advance.
The arrival of the guests:  They too should prepare for the ceremony by leaving their worries outside the tearoom and washing their hands before entering. Shoes must remain outside and guests must not enter until invited to do so by the tea master.
Cleaning of utensils:  bowls, bamboo beaters and spoons should be cleaned in front of the guests following precise, harmonious and meticulous gestures.
The preparation of the tea:  Matcha tea is not infused, but is stirred to make a foam and show its powerful aroma.
The service:  traditionally, only one bowl is used to serve the tea and you have to pass it on to the other guests. It may also be that the tea master prepares a bowl for each guest.
The end of the tasting:  at the end, the tea master again cleans his utensils in front of the guests. They can be asked to take them in their hands and admire them.
To carry out a tea ceremony, many objects are needed. It depends on the taste of the tea master, who arranges the tea room as he wants. However, you will not be able to do without a tea box ( cha-ire ), a whisk ( chasen ), a spoon ( chashaku ), a bowl ( chawan ) and an iron pot ( kama ) that replace the teapot and are used for heat the water.