Here’s a list of beautiful gifts for that person who is into Zen living and enjoy drinking Japanese tea. The gift ideas in this post are related to Japanese tea drinking and the tea ceremony.

Tea ceremony or sado (茶道) is a traditional way of preparing, serving, and drinking matcha (green tea). Sado is strongly influenced by the principles of Zen Buddhism. It has its aesthetic that involves the principles of “wabi” and “sabi”. The traditional sado is not merely about drinking tea, it is a spiritual experience that represents harmony, purity, tranquility, and balance.

Below, we have provided a list of chadogu (tea equipment) of different designs fit for different season/ occasion and other related gift ideas for non-ceremonial use. Check out below for more details.

(P/S: This article is a little long as we give many examples. You may also click on the images for more details)

Tea lover gifts
Tea lover gifts

Read here if you are looking into some Chinese Tea stuff

Japanese Tea Lovers Gift Ideas

1. Teapot

Cast Iron Teapot

The teapot is used to heat up water for making tea. Japanese cast iron teapot, called tetsubin, is an important part of the traditional tea ceremony. You can use it to heat up water using a charcoal fire or on a stovetop. There are many patterns and designs available. Often, simple style with traditional Japanese design looks the best.

Green Dragonfly Cast Iron Japanese Teapot
Green Dragonfly Cast Iron Japanese Teapot
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Iwachu Black and Gold Goldfish Tetsubin Teapot
Iwachu Black and Gold Goldfish Tetsubin Teapot
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Clay/ Porcelain Teapot

Perfect for making sencha, hojicha, bancha, or other Japanese tea.

Kutani Flowers and Bird Teapot
Kutani Flowers and Bird Teapot
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2. Tea Bowl

Tea bowl is used as a container to hold hot water where green tea powder is whisked into a thin paste.  Tea bowl is available in different styles and sizes. Shallow bowls allow tea to cool rapidly (fit for summer) and deep bowls allow tea to stay warm longer (fit for winter).

Sakura Tea Bowl
Sakura Tea Bowl
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Gold Leaf Matcha Bowl by Artist Toyoshi Yamada
Gold Leaf Matcha Bowl by Artist Toyoshi Yamada
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Handcrafted Matcha Tea Bowl
Handcrafted Matcha Tea Bowl
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3. Teacup

Teacups are not used in the traditional tea ceremony as it is too small to whisk the green tea. It is great for drinking sencha and other teas.

Teacup with Mount Fuji Design
Teacup with Mount Fuji Design
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Japanese Teacup Gift Set
Japanese Teacup Gift Set
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Reed Motif Ink Wash Painting
Set of 2 Reed Motif Ink Wash Painting Teacups
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4. Tea Set

A beautiful tea set is perfect for tea lovers. The teapot comes with matching teacups so it looks nice as a gift.

Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Tea Set
Maneki Neko Lucky Cat Tea Set
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Japanese Calligraphy Porcelain Tea Set
Japanese Calligraphy Porcelain Tea Set
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Green Bamboo Tea Set
Green Bamboo Tea Set
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5. Tea Whisk  & Tea Scoop

The tea whisk is used to whisk the tea and tea scoop is used to scoop out the tea in correct proportion. Both are made of bamboo.

Chasen Tea Whisk & Tea Scoop
Chasen Tea Whisk & Tea Scoop
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Japanese Zen Decorations

6. Flower Arrangement

Container for Flower Arrangement

Chabana (simple flower arrangement ) is an important element of the decorations for a tea ceremony. You can choose a container made of metal, ceramic, bamboo, or basket form.

Japanese Vase
Black Opal Japanese Vase
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Japanese Ikebana Handmade Vine Basket
Japanese Ikebana Handmade Vine Basket
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7. Hanging Scroll

Scroll with a chosen theme associated with a particular tea gathering plays a central role in a tea ceremony. You can get a calligraphic scroll with words fit for a theme or a scroll that features a painting of landscape like mountain or waterfall.

Rising Sun and Cranes Japanese Scroll
Rising Sun and Cranes Japanese Scroll
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Hanging Scroll with the word
Hanging Scroll with the word “Zen”

Tea-Related and Zen Living Books

Books are always a great gift idea. You can get a book about the way of tea or philosophy of Zen Buddhism.

8. Books for Tea Lovers

The Book of Tea: The Classic Work on the Japanese Tea Ceremony and the Value of Beauty
The Book of Tea: The Classic Work on the Japanese Tea Ceremony and the Value of Beauty
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Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers
Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers
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The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life
The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life
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9. Other Light Reading Materials

Other than tea-related books, you can also get some light readings for the tea lovers.

Thousand Cranes
Thousand Cranes
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The Old Tea Seller: Life and Zen Poetry in 18th Century Kyoto
The Old Tea Seller: Life and Zen Poetry in 18th Century Kyoto
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Zen Music

10. Relaxing Music CD

Listen to a piece of soothing music while enjoying a cup of delicious tea. That’s the best thing you can do in the afternoon.

Music for Healing
Music for Healing
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Zen and the Art of Relaxation
Zen and the Art of Relaxation
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That concludes our list of 10 Zen Gifts for Tea Lovers. Thanks for reading!

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Tea lover gifts
Japanese Tea Ceremony lover gifts