On February 21, 2026, the Omotesenke Domonkai USA Eastern Region, Seattle Special District, presented a Chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) program at the Ryokusuian Tearoom in the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) at the museum's invitation. Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum is home to an outstanding collection of art from around the world. Within the museum is the authentic Japanese tearoom Ryokusuian, which serves as a unique venue for introducing Japanes

On June 18-19, as part of our ongoing efforts to expand Omotesenke Domonkai activities in the Boston area and to lay the groundwork for a future Boston Special District, we held a student practice session, a community tea gathering, and a general practice session at Showa Boston. We were pleased to welcome many participants to these events. Following the previous session, we covered guest etiquette and basic tea ceremony practice in both the student practice and the general p

Event Date: 6/7/2026 On June 7, we hosted an early summer tea gathering at The Place 229 under the theme Listening to the Rain. More than sixty guests joined us to experience the quiet beauty of the season through the hanging scroll, floral arrangements, and carefully selected tea utensils. Although rain had not been forecast, a gentle shower briefly graced the afternoon. As expressed in the Japanese phrase Uki Seikō (雨奇晴好)—"Rainy days have their own unique beauty, just as su

Event Date: 6/14/2026 We hosted a tea ceremony event during the summer festival presented by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra on June 14. The event took place at the Stockton Education Center, located on the beautiful grounds of Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton, NJ. We held two demonstration-style sessions, welcoming 25 guests each. With the museum’s gardens in full seasonal bloom and a performance of Madama Butterfly scheduled for that evening, we designed the gathering a

Event Date: 6/6/2026 On June 6, we held a Chanoyu demonstration at the beautiful John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden. Following the demonstration, approximately twenty guests who had quietly gathered around the tea room were invited to enjoy a bowl of tea. As they savored the matcha, conversations unfolded naturally, leading to thoughtful questions about its flavor, the cultivation and benefits of tea leaves, and the rich traditions of Japanese tea culture. Drawing inspirat

Event Date: 5/29-30/2026 As part of our efforts to expand Omotesenke Domonkai activities in the Boston area and lay the foundation for a future Boston Special District, we held a student practice session, a community tea gathering, and a general practice session at Showa Boston. Despite the limited preparation time, the events were very well attended. Through meaningful exchanges with students, local community members, and those interested in Chanoyu, we witnessed a strong en

Event Date: 5/18/2026 The Fort Hamilton High School Tea Ceremony Club held its 4th annual outdoor Nodate tea gathering on the school campus. This year, two classes joined the event with their teachers as part of their coursework, giving many students their very first tea ceremony experience. It was a heartwarming afternoon filled with the sincere efforts of high school students learning Japanese tradition abroad and preparing tea with care for their guests. At the end of the

Event Date: 5/16/2026 On May 16th, a tea gathering was held at Shofuso by members of the Philadelphia Special District and the New York Metropolitan District. Blessed with the refreshingly clear weather typical of May, we were delighted to welcome many guests, who enjoyed the gentle sunlight and the breeze sweeping through the garden's lush trees. Both the Usucha (thin tea) and Koicha (thick tea) gatherings brought together seasoned tea practitioners as well as those experi

Event Date: 5/3/2026 We hosted a demonstration of the Japanese tea ceremony at a teahouse of Georgian Court University. After giving a brief introduction to the tea ceremony, we invited 2-3 guests to step inside the teahouse and experience the proper etiquette to enjoy Japanese sweets and matcha. Also explained about Wakei-seijaku—that is, the spirit of "Harmony," "Respect," "Purity," and "Tranquility"—among the series of actions and mindsets of Chanoyu. We received many qu

Event Date: 3/22/2026 On March 22, 2026, the Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region, USA, hosted a "Spring Tea Ceremony and Matcha Experience" at Japan Village in Brooklyn. Led by students of the Fort Hamilton High School Tea Ceremony Club, we welcomed approximately 86 guests and shared a moment of tea across generations. During the event, we used a main tea bowl titled "Path of Hope," a yellow Kiseto ware piece, expressing our wish for a bright future for the younger generation.

Event Date 2/01/2026 We held a joint Hatsugama with the officers of the University of Washington Chanoyu Club and the young members of Seattle Special District. For many, this was their very first Hatsugama.What began with a touch of nervousness soon softened into smiles, as everyone shared in the warmth of the hearth, the seasonal setting, and a bowl of tea together. Their sincerity and fresh perspective brought a beautiful energy to the tearoom. To welcome the new year with

Event Date: 2/2/2026 The Seattle Special District welcomed students from a private middle school Japanese language class, registered in the School-Sado program, for a special off-campus “Experiencing Chanoyu” session held in the tearoom. The class was conducted over two class periods, and for all students, it was their first time entering a traditional Japanese tearoom. Before entering, an introduction to the history of Chanoyu and the enduring spirit of the tradition was pro

Event Date: 4/8/2026 🌸 Northern Valley Regional High School first introduced the tea ceremony in 2012. In 2017, the school became officially registered as an Omotesenke Gakkō Sadō (School Tea Program) institution. Since then, tea ceremony experiences have been held annually at the end of the school year as part of the Japanese language curriculum. Since the school’s official registration, the program has continued for over 10 years. For students learning Japanese, the opport

Event Dates: 3/28-29/2026 Northeastern Tea Expo 2026, organized by Penn State tea club, was attended by Tea Club members, other Penn State students, and members of the surrounding community. The lecture on the first day was followed by a Koicha (thick tea) demonstration and Koicha service on the second day. For tea club members, the event was the culmination of the year's practice, deepening the understanding of the spirit of Chanoyu, and "the best Koicha I ever tasted!"...

Event Date: 4/6/2026 Under pleasant spring weather, a tea ceremony demonstration was held for 22 students and faculty members. The program began with a brief presentation on "Tea Ceremony and Wellness." This was followed by an interactive segment in which three students were invited onto the tatami to learn basic guest etiquette. The remaining participants observed the tea preparation while sitting with straight posture and focusing on their breathing, experiencing the quiet

A ryūrei (table-style) tea ceremony was presented at the Cherry Blossom Festival held at Fairmount Park. The tea space was arranged inside the greenhouse of the Horticulture Center, incorporating elements inspired by nodate (outdoor tea gatherings) to create a setting that evoked the gentle atmosphere of spring. Many visitors stopped by our tea space, providing a valuable opportunity to experience the Japanese cultural tradition of chanoyu. Guests watched the tea preparation

3/28/2026 On a weekend in March, when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, the Washington, D.C. chapter of our Omotesenke Domonkai hosted a spring gathering at the residence of an IMF executive. IMF staff from various countries enjoyed matcha tea and traditional sweets arranged with spring-themed utensils. Guests showed great interest in the tea ceremony, engaging in lively Q&A sessions, making it a warm and harmonious day. 🌸春の訪れを楽しむひととき🌸 満開のさくらに彩られたワシントンDCで、表千家同門会はIMF幹部

Event Date: 1/32/2026 The Seattle Special District hosted a Hatsugama (New Year Tea Gathering) with invited guests. We were honored by the presence of Ms. Yoko Tsuge, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Seattle; Mr. Ryo Koyama, Residence Chef of the Consulate General; Ms. Yuka Shimizu, President of the Seattle Tankokai; Ms. Luke Ayumi of the Mukai Farm & Garden Foundation; Ms. Eriko Baxter, who actively supports various Japan-related nonprofit organizations; and many others who

Although this post comes a little later, we would like to share it as part of our record. On October 25, the University of Washington (UW) Chanoyu Club held its first tea room practice of the new academic year at Shoseian Tea House in the Seattle Japanese Garden. Surrounded by the colors of autumn, a quiet and focused atmosphere filled the tea room.Senior members performed both host and guest roles, expressing hospitality through a single bowl of tea. For the new members, it