THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



The old domestic etiquette of Ja- 

 pan never intrusted to a servant the 

 making of tea for a guest. It was 

 made by the master of the house 

 himself ; the custom probably grow- 

 ing out of the innate politeness and 

 courtesy of a people who believe that 

 an honored visitor is entitled to the 

 best entertainment possible to give 

 him. 



As soon as a guest is seated upon 

 his mat, a small tray is set before the 

 master of the house. Upon this tray 

 is a tiny tea-pot with a handle at right 

 angles to the spout. Other parts of 

 this outfit include a highly artistic 

 tea-kettle filled with hot water, and 

 a requisite number of small cups, set 

 in metal or bamboo trays. These 

 trays are used for handing the cups 

 around, but the guest is not expected 



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