Shitsurai is the arranging of the space, the utensils, and the whole setting in order to receive guests. It is the host's hospitality made concrete.
Origins
The word derives from the older verb shitsurau, and it refers to the act of putting the room, the alcove, the utensils, and the flowers in order for a particular sitting.
In practice
The phrase is used in praise of a host's preparation as a whole — "to put one's heart into the shitsurai", "a beautiful shitsurai". It covers everything done before the guests arrive, which is most of the work of a gathering.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
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