In the tea ceremony, 菓子器【KASHI-KI（Sweet Dish）】is a utensil used to offer the main sweets called 主菓子【OMO-GASHI】and 干菓子【HI-GASHI】dried sweets to guests at tea ceremonies.
Main sweets are usually served on 菓子器【KASHI-KI（sweets dish）】, 縁高【FUCHI-DAKA（rims are high)】fringed tray, or 銘々皿【MEI MEI ZARA （individual plates）,” while dried sweets are served in special dishes. A 菓子鉢【KASHI BACHI(sweets bowl)】 is a ceramic bowl that is mainly used to serve omogashi, and is one of the tea ceremony utensils that plays an important role in expressing the type of sweets and the seasonal feel of the tea ceremony.
Uses and Types of Sweet Bowls and Dishes
For the Main Sweet (Omogashi)
菓子器【KASHI-KI（Sweet Bowl）】／縁高【FUCHIDAKA（A lidded dish）】 used at thick tea ceremonies to serve the main sweet. Vermilion-lacquered dishes are used in formal tea ceremonies.
銘々皿（めいめいざら）: A small dish used to serve individual portions of the main sweet at informal tea ceremonies.
重箱【JYUU-BAKO】: A lacquered dish with five or more tiers, used as a formal dish to serve the main sweet.
食籠【JIKI-ROU】: A round or square, multi-tiered box-like dish made of lacquerware, ceramics, etc.
Sweet containers are made from a variety of materials, including ceramics, lacquerware, wood, and glass.
Lacquerware: Types include vermilion lacquer, shin-nuri lacquer, Negoro lacquer, and maki-e lacquerware.
Metal: Types include sahari, nanryo, and karakane lacquerware.
Ceramics: A variety of designs, including overglaze lacquerware.
Confectionery dish for higashi (dried sweets): A general term for containers used to serve dry confectionery. They come in a variety of shapes and materials, including lacquerware, wood, and metal.
Takatsuki: A type of container used to serve higashi (dried sweets).
Use in the Tea Ceremony
At tea ceremonies, dry sweets are generally prepared for thin tea and main sweets for thick tea, with appropriate confectionery vessels used for each. The host (the person preparing the tea) offers the sweets to the guests, who then eat them using a paper utensil or a toothpick.
The role of sweet containers in the tea ceremony
Expressing a sense of the season: The combination of sweet containers and sweets creates a sense of the season.
The role of confectionery dishes in the tea ceremony
Expressing a sense of the season: The combination of confectionery dishes and confections creates a sense of the season.
Enhancing overall beauty: Harmonizing with the space and other utensils in the tea room, it enhances the overall beauty and elegance.
Part of the etiquette: Arrange confectionery in the confectionery dish according to tea ceremony etiquette and offer it to the guest.
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