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

I n the second half of 2025, the Tea Ceremony Club enjoyed both regular practice and hands-on activities. Some members joined a summer camp and experienced temae on tatami mats, discovering a new and refreshing side of the tea ceremony. We also held a collaborative event with the Origami Club. Using higashi (dry sweets) shaped like a ninja star (shuriken)—specially ordered from Shigaraki, a region associated with the Kōga ninja—we enjoyed a tea gathering together. Along with

On October 23, 2025, the Fort Hamilton High School (FHHS) Tea Ceremony Club participated once again in the school’s Club Fair—our third year joining this event. Interest in the Tea Ceremony Club has grown remarkably this year, and over the course of five hours, we welcomed 320 visitors. It was especially heartwarming to see many teachers bring their students to our booth and say they “highly recommend” the club. More than 60 students who tasted matcha and traditional Japanese

Event Date: 12/2/2025

Event Date: 7/12/2025 Japan Fair, held at the Meydenbauer Convention Center in Bellevue, is a highly regarded cultural event that was honored with the "Event of the Year" award at the Visit Bellevue annual meeting. This free, two-day festival welcomes more than 20,000 visitors each year. It features hands-on activities, workshops, cultural performances, and exhibition booths from a wide range of Japanese organizations, businesses, and community groups—including the Consulate-

Event Date: 7/6/2025 The Seattle Japanese Garden hosts seasonal cultural events throughout the year, delighting visitors with traditional Japanese experiences. In July, the garden held its annual Tanabata Star Festival, featuring workshops where guests created paper ornaments and wrote wishes on tanzaku strips to tie onto bamboo branches, embracing the spirit of this beloved summer celebration. In conjunction with the festival, the Seattle Special District presented the Tanab

Event Date: 11/8/2025 The Washington, D.C. District held a "Tea Ceremony" event 🍵✨ on November 8 at Georgetown University's Graduate School International Day. Following the mini-lecture, we had a tatami-mat demonstration, served tea and sweets, and let the students experience making tea themselves. The students who participated were very interested and asked a variety of questions, making the afternoon fulfilling. We are happy to share the depth of Japanese culture. Thank yo

Event Date: 6/21/2025 The Seattle Art Museum, affectionately known as “SAM,” is located in the heart of downtown Seattle—an area rich in business and tourism. The museum is well known for its extensive collection of artworks from around the world, including Asian, Western, and African art. At the invitation of SAM, the Omotesenke Seattle Special District held a Chanoyu (tea ceremony) presentation inside the museum’s tearoom, Ryokusuian . During the one-hour session, visitors