Tea Times Jan., Feb., March & April 2009
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 Feb. 9, March 9 & April 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.
Setsubun marks the change from winter to spring by the lunar calendar. One of the many interesting aspects of this festival is mamemaki, the custom of scattering parched soybeans, while echoing "oni wa soto fuku wa uchi" (out with the bad luck and in with the good). This is usually done before retiring on the evening of setsubun. The next morning is risshun, the first day of spring. Participants will enjoy seasonal sweets, tea and a tenshin style kaiseki meal by candlelight. This tea is open to anyone who wants to enjoy traditional Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. No prior experience is necessary.
This traditional wagashi, Japanese sweet making, class will feature yukimochi kinton and kuri chakinshibori. Yukimochi kinton is a traditional Kyoto style Chanoyu sweet made with nagaimo, long yam, and sweet bean paste that resembles a snowball. Kuri chakinshibori is made from white smooth bean paste that is cooked with chestnuts and then gently pressed in a damp thin cotton cloth to form the shape. Fresh chestnuts will be used in this sweet.
This class will include mostly hands-on practice. The freshly made sweets and tea will be served at the end of the class.
Joyagama, our final tea gathering of 2008 , is a time to share tea with friends and enjoy the memories of the past year. It is also a time to bid farewell to the year of the rat. Utensils reflecting the feeling of the season will be used during this tea. Joyagama is traditionally held on December 31, in Japan. Toshikoshi, year passing festivities, include the eating of toshikoshi soba, long thin buckwheat noodles, for longevity and good health. Traditional sweets, tea and toshikoshi soba will be served. This tea is open to anyone who wants to experience Japanese culture through Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony.
This special workshop 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 call the Japanese Cultural Community Center in SF (415-567-5505) for more information and to make reservations. You can also soon view the class announcement on their web site: 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.
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