before the japanese tea ceremony starts the teishu or host of the tea ceremony will prepare the charcoal fire under the Kama. during the winter months this might not take too much time since the charcoal pieces are laid in a bed of Hai or ash which doesn’t have to be too beautiful. but during the summer months the preparation of the fire under the Kama might take more time than in winter because the Hai or ash needs to be molded into various shapes according to the style of tea ceremony. when the bed of ash is made the charcoal pieces are carefully laid down in order not to destroy the smooth bed of ash.
when the japanese tea ceremony has finally started the coals will burn hottest and all the guests will enjoy the sound of boiling water. during the first round of the Japanese tea ceremony the guests will enjoy a meal after which the host will re-light the fire by adding more charcoal, this is called the charcoal procedure or Sumidemae. during Sumidemae the guests are invited to come closer to the hearth to watch the Teishu add and rearrange the charcoal. when this is done the guests will go outside until called back. then Koicha thick tea is served after which the charcoal is rearranged again.
for re-arranging the charcoal or sumi some unique equipment and tools is needed. charcoal procedure equipment and tools
