Tea Times June, July & August 2013
We teach ongoing weekly classes in the Urasenke tradition of Chanoyu from beginner to advanced levels. Please visit our Chanoyu class and enjoy a first hand experience at being a guest. Any Monday at 7:00 p.m. - Fee $20 Please Email us to make a reservation or for more information about these special classes.
Chabana, the art of flower arranging for Chanoyu, will be the focus of this hands-on summer workshop. Chabana has deep roots in the more stylized Ikebana arrangements. This simpler style was used in the tearoom by early tea masters when they invited guests for tea. This workshop will include a discussion of the principles of chabana as well as an overview of the various styles of vases and baskets that can be used. Participants will enjoy guided practice in making arrangements. Sweets and tea will be served at the end of the workshop.
This traditional Japanese sweet making class will feature sasamaki and ajisai kinton. Sasamaki is a summer sweet made with kuzu starch and black sugar. It is wrapped in a bamboo leaf and steamed. Ajisai kinton is made from sweet bean paste that is pressed through a sieve into strands. The strands are gathered and the finished sweet has glistening jewels of agar agar added representing dew on the ajisai (hydrangea). The freshly made sweets and tea will be served at the end of the class. Easy to follow recipes will be provided.
Gion Matsuri, one of the major yearly festivals in Japan, will be celebrated during this summer tea gathering. The festival originated in the 9th century when a plague struck Kyoto. To help rid the city of the disease, and to bring renewed spirit and good health, this grand festival was held. Traditional seasonal sweets, tea and a tenshin style kaiseki meal will be served. No prior experience is necessary.
This chanoyu experience will bring Urasenke tea practitioners together to share in the enjoyment of tea through kagetsu. The morning exchange will feature hira kagetsu and koicha tsuki kagetsu in an 8 mat room. The afternoon exchange will feature kininkiyotsugu koicha tsuki kagetsu and sanyu no shiki. A bento box lunch will be provided to participants.
These special workshops will introduce first time participants to the Zen choreography in making a bowl of tea. Participants will have guided practice in all of the steps necessary to prepare a tasty bowl of matcha, powdered green tea, with an open mind and pure heart. This workshop will be a good introduction for those who wish to further pursue their study of Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony.
* Please Email teatimes@chanoyu.com, for more information or to make reservations. Advance payment by mail will confirm your email reservations. As space is limited, cancellations must be made not later than 5-days before each event to receive a refund. Thank you.
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