Prior to the pandemic, participants in ochamori ceremonies shared an exceptionally large bowl to sample matcha powdered green tea, which required the help of others to hoist it up. (Photo taken by Sayuri Ide at Saidaiji temple in Nara on Jan. 15, 2019)
NARA Nara s famed Saidaiji temple here is breaking temporarily with its nearly 800-year tradition of serving matcha powdered green tea in huge bowls during ochamori festive ceremonies as a precaution against COVID-19.
Traditionally, bowls measuring up to 40 centimeters or so in diameter are shared by participants. But from April, each participant will sip separately from 20-cm bowls.
Saidaiji is the headquarters of the Shingon Risshu sect of Buddhism and one of the Nanto shichidaiji (seven great temples in Nara). The ochamori ceremony dates back to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).