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

Day 1: Introduction to Chanoyu — Cultural Friday at the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston Day 2: Public Tea Gathering — Tea Room “Sanzashian (Mayflower)” at Showa Boston Institute With the initiative of Branch Head Dr. Ueno and the generous support of the Headquarters, this meaningful opportunity became an important step forward for our activities in Boston and concluded with great success. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Consul General Minoya and Mrs. Minoya, Prof

Event Date: 10/25/2025 We hosted a one-day “Autumn Chakai” (tea gathering) at the Seattle Japanese Garden tearoom “Shoseian,” welcoming guests who registered in advance for three tea sessions throughout the day. During the peak of the autumn foliage, participants first enjoyed a demonstration of the thin-tea service from the veranda, followed by a quiet moment inside the tearoom.　Seated on tatami, guests were served Japanese sweets and a bowl of matcha, offering a peaceful ex

2月8日、厳しい寒さの中、NY地区およびPH特別地区による共同初釜を開催いたしました。当日は47名のお客様をお迎えし、10名の運営委員に加え、10名のお手伝いの方々のご協力のもと、薄茶席・濃茶席、ならびに白梅レストランでの点心を通しておもてなしをいたしました。 片平在ニューヨーク総領事・大使ご夫妻、箕谷在ボストン日本総領事館首席領事をはじめ、計6名の招待客にもご臨席賜りました。 薄茶席では、柳・アーモンド・椿の花をあしらい、新春らしい華やぎのある設えとし、濃茶席では椿と木瓜を用い、落ち着きのある趣を演出いたしました。それぞれの席では、思い入れのあるお道具を用い、参加者の皆様より「とても心が温まる初釜でした」とのお言葉を頂戴いたしました。 また、通常はお昼時刻の営業を控えている白梅レストランを特別に開けていただき、料理長による点心を皆様にお楽しみいただきました。 本行事の開催にあたり、お越しくださったお客様をはじめ、運営委員・お手伝いの皆様のご尽力、ならびに多大なるご協力を賜りました白梅レストラン、そしてプリンス キタノ ホテルに、心より感謝申し上

On February 8, despite the severe winter weather, the NY District and the PH Special District jointly hosted hatsugama (the new year tea gathering). We welcomed 47 guests, and with the combined efforts of 10 organizing committee members and 10 dedicated volunteers, we offered hospitality through both usucha and koicha tea gatherings, as well as a special luncheon at the Hakubai Restaurant. Among our distinguished guests were Ambassador Katahira, the Consulate General of Japa

Event Date: 2/3/2026 In the freezing temperature where the snow remains, 17 students participated. First of all, only the members practiced the thin tea. After that, we gave a lecture titled "From Tea Ceremony to Mindfulness-Hospitality as a Wellness Practice". Then, they were divided into two groups and practiced thin tea on tatami mats, and in another room, they practiced making a bowl of tea, and had them with sweets. Then we switched groups and practiced the same content.

Event Date: 10/18/2025 The Seattle Art Museum (SAM), located in downtown Seattle, is home to an authentic Japanese tearoom called “Ryokusui-an.” At the museum’s invitation, the Seattle Special District presented a Chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) demonstration in this tearoom. We began with a brief introduction to the history and spirit of Chanoyu and then presented an Omotesenke-style usucha (thin tea) demonstration. This was followed by an informal discussion about the tearo

Event Date: 10/03/2025 At the beginning of the new academic year in late September, the University of Washington held its annual Open House for new students. Now in its sixth year, the UW Chanoyu Club hosted an open tea practice in a campus classroom, welcoming about 25 students who gathered to observe. Senior club members demonstrated a tea gathering with commentary, followed by a tea service for the participants. During the Q&A session, students shared how practicing Chanoy

Event Date: 9/6/2025 We were honored to host a Harvest Moon Tea Gathering at the Seattle Japanese Garden’s tearoom, Shoseian, as part of the Garden’s autumn cultural programs. Once the event was announced online, the tea tickets sold out quickly. The tearoom was decorated with seasonal offerings, moon-viewing dumplings, and autumn grasses, creating an atmosphere inspired by Japan’s traditional moon-viewing culture. As we shared stories about appreciating the moon through dri