On October 10, we held a tea ceremony demonstration and tea gathering at John. P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden. Surrounded by the beautiful garden, carefully maintained by dedicated volunteers, about 20 guests gathered in the open tea room and quietly enjoyed tea and sweets in the gentle autumn breeze. With the spirit of ichigo ichie (one time, one meeting) in mind, we also introduced the tea utensils used in the ceremony. Through a hanging scroll featuring a haiku by Matsuo

On October 3, the Philadelphia Special District and the NY/MET District of Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region USA co-hosted a tea gathering at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center. On a beautiful autumn day, we welcomed many guests to the public tea gathering. Over a bowl of tea, we were delighted to share the spirit and traditions of Omotesenke. The event served as a wonderful opportunity for guests to deepen their appreciation of chado through lively conversations and thoug

On October 1, we held a tea ceremony class for the Chanoyu Club at the Penn State University. Seventeen students, along with members of the club, participated. During the special session beginning at 5:00 p.m., we practiced the otemae procedure using an oita, a large wooden board. This session was held in the quiet tea room primarily for the club members who had helped clean and prepare the space beforehand. Many participants from the 6:00 p.m. class were experiencing the Way

On Sunday, October 4th, the Japan Day－Autumn Festival was held at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Columbia, Maryland. Despite the light rain, many guests attended, and after watching Tea ceremony demonstration, the lively Q&A session included a variety of questions about the tea ceremony. Also, at the hands-on corner where participants made their own tea, everyone from children to adults enjoyed the tea they made by using their tea whisks. 10月４日（日）メリーランド州コロンビアにあるHarriet

We are honored to announce that the Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region USA has received the 2026 Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Since our founding in 2010, we have been dedicated to introducing Japanese culture and promoting cultural exchange through the Way of Tea throughout the Eastern United States. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Omotesenke Iemoto, Omotesenke Domonkai Headquarters, our past and present officers, com

In August, we held a training session and a Public Tea Ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. We welcomed Kimura Masaki, a Tea Master from Kyoto, and received comprehensive instruction. Although this year was midsummer, we were able to attend a full-scale lecture using charcoal from the furnace, making it a very educational workshop. At the Public Tea Ceremony, many people participated; those in the chairs and those seated on tatami mats were all captivated

On March 5, 2026, the Seattle Special District had the honor of presenting Chanoyu at the Emperor’s Birthday Reception held at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan in Seattle. Hosted by Consul General Makoto Iyori and Mrs. Iyori, the reception welcomed approximately 170 guests, including Washington State and local government officials, members of the U.S. military, consuls representing several countries, and leaders from the business, academic, and cultural c

On July 16 and 17, we held tea practice sessions at Showa Boston for both its students and members of the local Boston community. We were delighted to welcome many participants. This event was the third practice session in a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the activities of the Omotesenke Domonkai in the Boston area and working toward the establishment of the Boston Special District. Following the previous session, we welcomed new members and enjoyed seasonal swe

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