What Dialogue Options To Choose At The Tea Ceremony In Assassin’s Creed Shadows

During the earliest chapters of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll follow a couple of leads to learn more about the enigmatic Shinbakufu faction, responsible for killing Naoe’s father and seizing his mysterious box. One of the leads available to you is that of the Golden Teppo, one of the people present during the murder: a woman only identifiable by her voice and the gold-trimmed rifle she carries. Following a series of choices surrounding a menacing gunsmith and an experienced tea drinker, Naoe eventually finds herself at a tea ceremony, where she must perform a series of rituals and impress her host.

All the while, though, Naoe must deal with a series of exacting and judgmental guests – one of whom, she expects, is complicit in her father’s murder. This is a complicated sequence, with several choices to be made and several variable paths to be taken (unless, of course, you’re playing on AC Shadows‘ canon mode). Some choices are simple, either right or wrong, while others are much more complex and force you to rely on social cues, memory, and instinct. Here’s how to get through the tea ceremony unscathed, and find Naoe’s father’s killer while you’re at it.

What Fake Name Should You Use?

Remember What You Chose Earlier

The first dialogue option you’ll have during the tea ceremony appears when you’re talking to the other guests, and involves how Naoe introduces herself. You’ll have a choice between three false names. This choice recurs a couple of times, during each of your conversations with individual guests.

• “My name is Shizuka.”
• “My name is Sanuki.”
• “My name is Shigure.”

Technically, any of these choices may be correct; it depends on how you introduced yourself to Sen no Rikyu earlier. Hopefully you remember which name you chose during that scene, or at least wrote it down somewhere; Imai Sokyu will also repeat it when you first arrive at the ceremony, in case that refreshes your memory.

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Whatever name you choose, just make sure you stay consistent with it throughout the tea ceremony. Personally, I chose Shizuka because it was first on the list, which makes it easier to remember – the three pseudonyms always appear in the same order.

What Should You Say To Otama?

Otama Dialogue Options At The Tea Ceremony

If you move outward from the entrance to Imai’s garden, the first guest you’ll encounter is Otama (although you can technically talk to all three in any order). From a well-to-do family, Otama is haughty and openly hostile towards Naoe, criticizing her choice of dress and calling her an ignorant country bumpkin to her face. Your goal here is to remain outwardly gracious – be the bigger woman, tell the truth, and you’ll have a couple opportunities to get in a jab of your own.

After introducing yourself, Otama will ask you how you got into the tea ceremony. You’ll have the following options:

• “I had a good teacher.”
• “I know the son well.”

The second option has a little scale icon next to it, indicating that it’s a lie. In this case, it’s maybe more of a half-truth – Naoe knows Imai’s son, but has only really met him once. Instead, choose the truthful option: “I had a good teacher.” Otama will find a way to insult you either way, but at least with this choice, you avoid getting caught in a lie.

What Should You Say To Satoko?

The Tea Ceremony’s Second Guest

Next, you’ll encounter Lady Satoko. Introduce yourself with your chosen fake name, and she’ll ask you what brings you to the ceremony – albeit in a much nicer way. You’ll have these choices:

• “I’m friends with Master Sokyu.”
• “I have contracts with the Imai.”

Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter what dialogue options you choose during your conversation with Lady Satoko. Both are (somewhat) truthful and innocuous – even if you are new friends with Sokyu and your contracts with the Imai are forged. She doesn’t really care to be here, and she admits as much. Though she comes from a noble family, she’s far more interested in bounty hunting. She and Naoe have a brief ideological conversation, and she excuses herself to contemplate a cherry tree.

What Should You Say To Wakasa?

Wakasa’s Dialogue Options

Once more, introduce yourself to Wakasa using your correct fake name. She’s pleasant right out of the gate, complimenting Naoe’s choice of kosode, before introducing herself, saying Naoe’s likely already heard of her. The choices are:

• “Of course I know you.”
• “I’m new to Sakai.”

Once again, you should choose the truthful option here, “I’m new to Sakai.” Wakasa, as you’ll soon find, appreciates honesty and directness – although she’s not beyond playing coy when it suits her. She’ll explain why she’s so well-known in Sakai: she wants to take it over, and her own candor sometimes draws the ire of the locals. She asks Naoe if people are just as reserved where she comes from:

• “I didn’t say where I was from.”
• “I’m from Nagasaki.”

Again, stay honest: tell Wakasa “I didn’t say,” and Naoe will explain that her past doesn’t matter, since she intends to stay in Sakai. Wakasa will then invite Naoe to visit her in Osaka Castle – that’s an important clue we’ll come back to later.

How Should You Bow At The Tea Ceremony?

Remember Sen No Rikyu’s Advice

Next, you’ll be introduced to the party formally, and you’ll be directed to bow. You have three options once again:

• “Bow head.”
• “Bow halfway.”
• “Bow deeply.”

Remember what Sen No Rikyu told you earlier: the half bow is best, since it puts you and your host on equal footing. The head bow could be considered disrespectful, and the deep bow too deferential – “treat the guests like daimyo, and they’ll make you their servant.” From here on out, you’ll see Imai nodding and smiling in approval if you successfully complete each ritual.

Which Way Should You Turn Your Cup?

Performing The Tea Ceremony

Now, the ceremony will begin proper. Watch as Imai prepares the tea, and, when it’s your chance to drink, turn the bowl slightly to the right so that the most beautiful side faces the rest of the guests.

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You’ll then see a brief scene in which the guests all give Imai their gifts. Don’t worry about which one you chose, as your host will love it regardless (or at least politely pretend he does).

Who Should You Confront?

Otama Or Wakasa?

Finally, before the tea ceremony breaks up, you can choose which of the guests you think is the culprit: Otama or Wakasa. Although Naoe has reasons to suspect both of them, I’ll save you the time and tell you that you should confront Wakasa. I won’t spoil what happens next, but it’s a lot easier than the alternative, and results in a much better story outcome – at least, in the short term.

And just like that, you’ve successfully completed your first tea ceremony, assassinated your first (or maybe second) target, and can move on with AC Shadows‘ main campaign. As long as you’ve been paying attention, completing Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ tea ceremony sequence shouldn’t be too hard.

Systems

Released

March 20, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language

Developer(s)

Ubisoft Quebec