Tea Times May, June & July 2012
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 Monday, May 14, June 11 or July 16 at 7:00 p.m. Fee $20. Please Email us to make a reservation or for more information about these special classes.
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.
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.
This traditional wagashi, Japanese sweet making, class will feature minazuki and kuzu manju. Minazuki, the poetic name for June meaning "Rainless Month," is a sweet made from rice flour that is steamed. It is cut into triangles representing ice and topped with sweet azuki beans. Tradition is that eating this sweet on June 30 will protect one from evil and bring relief from the intense summer heat. Kuzu manju has an outer convering of kudzu starch enrobing sweet bean paste. A sweet with the poetic name mizubotan (water peony) will be created with the kuzu manju. This class will include both demonstration and some hands-on practice. The freshly made sweets and tea will be served at the end of the class. Easy to follow recipes will be provided.
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.
This Chanoyu experience will bring 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 mugon kagetsu and kininkiyotsugu kagetsu. A bento box lunch will be provided to participants.Open to all Urasenke tea practitioners with your teacher's approval.
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.
* 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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