Chado at Home
When
Where
Description
The Chadō at Home Virtual Series shares how several Chadō schools have continued to practice and keep alive the “Way of Tea” in a time of pandemic. This online exhibit features the Chadō Urasenke Tankōkai Los Angeles Association, and how the student groups have continued to build upon this practice that values harmony in the setting of hospitality and accommodation.
This exhibit will be on display from November 22, 2021 - February 21, 2022.
Funded in part by the generosity of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), City of Los Angeles.
What is Chadō (茶道)?
Chadō, or “Japanese tea ceremony” has a more accurate translation as the “Way of Tea.”
Based upon the simple acts of preparing and presenting tea with grace and respect while being received with appreciation and gratitude; a bowl of tea satisfies both physical and spiritual thirst.
Whether you are interested in traditional Japanese culture, practicing the art of Chadō, studying Zen, pursuing meditation, or simply enjoy the taste tea, we welcome you in the journey to learn the “Way of Tea.”
Essential Utensils
For every event, the host carefully selects the Chadōgu (茶道具) to express the theme of the ceremony. The combination of the utensils and how they are used shape the experience between the host and guests.
Even the most basic tea ceremony requires a wide range of utensils.
A Meditative Space
Largely shaped by Zen monks, the spiritual discipline of Chadō is steeped in a practice of mindfulness and relaxation. Host and guests are immersed into each detail of the brewing and consumption of tea.
From the flower arrangements, to the minimal decor, to the carefully practiced gestures and movements - the tea room becomes a meditative space focused on the ritual details shaped over centuries.
Chadō Urasenke Tankōkai LA Association
Founded in 1951, Chadō Urasenke Tankōkai LA Association is a non-profit organization promoting communication, exchange, and training among Chadō practitioners and those interested in Chadō.
Also known as Chadō Urasenke Tea Society of Southern California, the mission of the association is to engage in research concerning Chadō culture, introduce Chadō to the local and global community, and contribute to inter-cultural exchange and world peace.
Chadō During the Pandemic Exhibition
Experience how 10 groups of the Urasenke Tankokai LA Association continued to practice chado during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the photos to view them in full size and read their stories.
Sogen Chernof (チャーノフ宗元) and Soyu Garcia (ガルシア宗勇)
During the pandemic tea practice was more important than ever for our students. Chado provided a sense of stability and mindfulness in difficult times.
Initially we move our classes to Zoom and helped students practice tea in ways that specifically encourage creativity and meant to be practiced outside a traditional team room.
The first two images show our students practicing chabako and chitosebon using a combination of traditional and western utensils. Finally as vaccines became available we were happy to slowly, safely welcome our students back into the tea room.
Sokyo Kasai
Farewell tea ceremony for a student leaving for graduate school in New Zealand.
ニュージーランドの大学院へ旅立つ生徒へ送別茶事
Soshin Robinson (ロビンソン宗心)
The students dressed special for this Halloween theme tea ceremony.
Miki Uehara with her beautiful flamenco dress and Sachiko san wearing a giant wig with shiny outfit and me dress like a pumpkin witch and Setsuko san dressed like a spider witch to participate on the zoom link. The Otemae was Wakei , and the utensils we used were a carved pumpkin for the Chabako, and an apple for the Natsume instead.
It was such a fun tea class which we all were super blessed and inspired by and more than grateful for all the effort and care that Robinson Sensei has invested in each of us. Our hearts were FULL!
Soka Becker (ベッカー宗華)
During the pandemic tea practice was more important than ever for our students. Chado provided a sense of stability and mindfulness in difficult times.
There are three of us in this shachu (社中, "student group"). One member has a tea room, one member has a tea space with tatami, and one member has a table setup. Sometimes surprise guests have shown up.
Chester Ikei
Sosei Ogawa (小川宗靖)
Sebata Shachu (瀬端社中)
Sori McMillan Miwa (三輪マクミラン宗理)
Sochi Ohshima (大島宗治)
Soyu Uyesugi (上杉宗裕)
"Connection between tea ceremony and the heart"
My first encounter with the tea ceremony was more than 30 years ago, when my mother asked "Why don't you learn etiquette? " and introduced me to my teacher, Mr. Matsumoto. The matcha tea and sweets were delicious, and as I grew closer to my fellow students, I looked forward to the lessons after work.
It has been more than ten years since I started teaching tea ceremony, but I was confused when I could no longer teach tea ceremony directly due to the expansion of the Covid-19 last year. As I was searching for various ways to teach my students who were looking forward to tea ceremony practice, I came across a new format called Zoom. Relying on the Internet for Zooming, I was sometimes upset when the Internet went out in the middle of the lesson. However, the book club on the topic of tea ceremony and the practice that the students do with the tea utensils that they have seen, has the privilege of allowing many students to participate and share.
