Tea Times  March, April, May & June 2007

CHANOYU CLASSES (Tea Ceremony)

We conduct ongoing weekly classes in the Urasenke tradition of Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony, from beginner to advanced levels. Classes are open to anyone who desires to learn more about this peaceful Japanese art. Events and classes are held in San Francisco.Please Email us to make arrangements to visit a class and have a bowl of tea.

RIKYU MEMORIAL TEA



DATE
- Monday, March 26, 2007
SEATINGS - 4:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
FEE - $30

This annual memorial tea will honor Sen Rikyu (1522-1591), the founder of the three Sen schools of Chanoyu including Urasenke. Wabicha, the style of tea that reflects a simple and quiet taste, is the contribution that Rikyu is most remembered for.

Various utensils that reflect his unique style and taste will be featured at this tea. Guests will offer flowers in Rikyu's memory. Incense will also be offered and all of the guests will be able to share in the enjoyment of the incense ceremony. Traditional sweets and koicha, thick tea, will be served.

WAGASHI CLASS



DATE
- Friday, April 13, 2007
TIME - 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
FEE - $30


This traditional wagashi, Japanese sweet making, class will feature sakuramochi and sasamaki. Sakuramochi is a traditional sweet served during the spring Doll Festival and the cherry blossom viewing season. We will prepare the Kansai (Kyoto) style sweet using cooked sweet rice grains that are wrapped around sweet bean paste. It is finished by wrapping the sweet in a fragrant salted cherry leaf. Sasamaki is a bamboo leaf wrapped sweet that has a kuzu and black sugar filling. It is often served for tango no sekku, the Boy's Day Festival in May.

This class will include both demonstration and hands-on practice. Tea and sweets will be served after the class.


CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL DEMONSTRATION

DATE - Sunday, April 15, 2007
TIME - 1, 2, 3 & 4 p.m.
PLACE - Miyako Hotel, SF Japantown

Members of the Urasenke SF Association will present four tea demonstrations during the annual SF Cherry Blossom Festival. The event is free and open to the public.


CHABANA WORKSHOP

DATE
- Tuesday, April 24, 2007
TIME - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FEE - $30

Chabana, the art of flower arranging for Chanoyu, will be the focus of this hands-on 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.

KOHDO & CHANOYU
(incense and tea)

DATE - Thursday, May 24, 2007
TIME - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FEE - $30

This workshop will feature incense as it is enjoyed in the tearoom. There will be a demonstration of how to prepare a censor using the various traditional incense utensils. Participants will enjoy 2 varieties of kyara, the best of the aged aloes wood incense. They will also have a chance to write a seasonal poem related to the incense. Traditional sweets and tea will also be served.

HOTARUGARI TEA & TENSHIN MEAL
(firefly viewing tea)

DATE - Saturday, June 23, 2007
TIME - 12 noon
FEE - $75


Hotarugari, firefly viewing, will be the theme of this summer tea gathering. Various utensils that reflect the season, and this wonder summer activity in Kyoto, will be used during the tea.

Traditional seasonal sweets, tea and a tenshin style kaiseki meal will be served. This event is open to anyone wishing to enjoy Japanese culture through Chanoyu, the tea ceremony. No prior experience is necessary.


* 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.

Kimika Takechi & Larry Tiscornia

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