Tea Times   May, June & July 2009

CHANOYU EXPERIENCE (Tea Ceremony)

We teach ongoing weekly classes in the Urasenke tradition of Chanoyu from beginner to advanced levels. If you would like to experience Chanoyu first hand, and have a lesson on being a guest, we have scheduled 3 dates. Please email or telephone for reservations. Monday's May 25, June 22 or July 13 at 4:00p.m. or 7:30p.m. No prior experience is necessary and the class fee is $20. Please Email us to make a reservation or for more information about these special classes.

TANGO NO SEKKU TEA
(Boys' Day Festival)

DATE - Sunday, May 3, 2009
LOCATION - Nichibeikai
1759 Sutter St., SF
SEATINGS -
11am & 12:30p.m.
FEE - $15
(sweets & tea served)

Kimika, Larry and their students will host a tea celebrating tango no sekku, the Boys' Day Festival, at the NichibeikaiKansoan tearoom, 1759 Sutter St., S.F.

The festival dates from the Heian period and is celebrated in Japan on May 5. It is also called shobu no sekku, the Iris Festival as well as the Children's Day Festival.  This tea is open to anyone who enjoys Japanese culture and wants to experience a traditional tea gathering.

HAIGATA WORKSHOP

DATE
- Sunday, June 7, 2009
SEATINGS - 10 a.m. to 12 noon
FEE - $30

This workshop will include a demonstration of the basic points in creating the nimonji oshikiri ash formation. There will also be a discussion of the various styles of haigata used at the Urasenke School of Tea.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own brazier for guided practice. Sweets and tea will be served.

 

CHABANA WORKSHOP
(flower arranging for tea)

DATE - Saturday, June 13, 2009
TIME -
10a.m.-12noon
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.

GION MATSURI TENSHIN TEA

DATE - Sunday, July 19, 2009
TIME -
12 noon
FEE -
$75

Gion Matsuri, one of the three major Kyoto festivals, will be celebrated during this 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 health this grand festival was held.

Traditional seasonal sweets, tea and a tenshin style kaiseki meal will be served. No prior experience is necessary.

TEA MINDFULNESS WORKSHOPS

Sat., May 16, 2009 (10a.m.-12noon)
Fri., June 19, 2009
(7p.m. -9p.m.)
Thur., July 23, 2009
(7p.m. -9p.m.)
FEE -
$25

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.

SPECIAL JCCCNC EVENTS

WAGASHI CLASS
(sweet making)
DATE - Saturday, May 30, 2009
TIME -
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FEE -
$30 ($25 members)

KAISEKI COOKING CLASS
DATE -
Saturday, June 27, 2009
TIME -
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FEE -
$35 ($30 members)

WAGASHI CLASS
(sweet making)
DATE - Saturday, July 11, 2009
TIME -
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FEE -
$30 ($25 members)

Please call the Japanese Cultural Community Center in SF (415-567-5505) for more information and to make reservations.  You can also view the class announcements on their web site:
5/30 Wagashi class   6/27 Kaiseki class  7/11 Wagashi class


* 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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