Kaiseki Meal

Kaiseki meal
The Kaiseki meal is part of the first tea ceremony of the year. It is presented with a special touch of gaiety and grace. This meal is a fairly substantial feast prepared by the host that usually begins promptly at noon. As a matter of fact, the menu for formal Japanese dinners has evolved from the traditional kaiseki meal, and the rules of etiquette which must be followed at a formal dinner were also derived from the tea ceremony meal.

The kaiseki meal begins when the host opens the sliding door connecting the tea room and the preparation room, and carries the first tray to the principal guest. This tray contains a bowl of rice, a bowl of miso soup, a dish of food, and a pair of chopsticks. The host presents the tray to the first guest, and they bow to each other. Trays are then brought in by the host to each of the other guests. The host bows to the guests, inviting them to start the meal. The guests then bow to the hosts, saying that they will begin eating. The guests then remove the lids from the rice and soup bowls, placing the lid of the soup bowl on top of the rice bowl lid. The lids are placed to the right of the tray. When the guests have finished their rice and soup, the host serves them warm sake. The principal guest is served first, followed by the other guests. The guests then eat the food from the tray. More rice is brought in, but the guests serve themselves. A second helping of soup is offered, if the guests desire more. Next, the host brings in a bowl of delicacies in a broth. Each guests receives their own bowl; they bow to thank the host and after removing the lid and savoring the aroma, begin to eat. More sake is served by the host at this time.

A dish containing broiled fish is then brought in by the host. The principal guest takes some of the fish, and passes the dish onto the other guests, who each take a portion. The host then offers more rice, which the guests will serve themselves, and more soup, which the guests will decline. Third bowls of soup are not customarily accepted. The host then exits to eat his meal alone in the preparation room. When the guests are done, the host removes their dishes and brings out bowls full of clear soup for each of the guests. When the soup is gone, the host serves more sake. He then places ocean delicacies in the soup bowl lid of each guest. The guests then serve sake to the host, and the host gives each guest some mountain delicacies. When the guests have finished, the host brings out hot water and a tray of pickles. Each guest puts hot water and rice into his empty soup bowl, and eats the pickles. When all of the food is finished, the guests each wipe their bowls and chopsticks. The host bows to each guest and removes their trays, ending the kaiseki meal.