Fukusa

fukusa 袱紗 is a silk cloth used in the japanese matcha tea ceremony and during okeiko (practice lessons)。 a red fukusa is traditionally used by women、while a purple one is used by men。

it is a plain silk cloth used by the host during the japanese matcha tea ceremony to ritually cleanse tea utensils before and after preparing the tea。 the act of purifying and the ceremonial folding of the fukusa are considered a form of meditation、as well as a gesture of respect toward the guests and the tools。

traditionally、purple fukusa are used by men、while women choose red or orange cloths。 in japan、purple is associated with yin (female)、while red or orange represents yang (male)、so using a fukusa in the color of the opposite gender is seen as a way to balance these energies。