The Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu or chado in Japanese) is a mindful way of preparing matcha green tea and sharing it with guests. Although tea practice encompasses many of the traditional arts of Japan, as well as the meditative principles of Zen, one of the key lessons that it teaches us is how to create a one-of-a-kind experience by building relationships with guests.

In this course, students will practice the simplest form of tea ceremony in the curriculum of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony. The semester for tea lessons goes for 4 weeks, starting October 16th and ending on November 6th. While each two-hour class will include discussion of the history and philosophy of tea, the focus will be on practical skills, including movement and handling of utensils. Our teachers are licensed by the Urasenke school, headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, and each has more than twenty-five years of experience in chanoyu.

This class is for beginners, and no prior knowledge of the way of tea is required.

CLASS SCHEDULE and FEE: Saturdays, Oct 16, 23, 30 and Nov. 6, 11:00am -1:00pm. $100/$90 for JASGP Members. Proof of Vaccination is required for all participants. 

• Physical considerations: tea ceremony is performed in a kneeling position (seiza) on the floor. This position puts pressure on the knees and ankles. If you have leg problems that would prevent you from sitting this way even for short periods of time, you may not wish to take our standard class. Please contact us for information about alternatives.
• Practicing the tea ceremony involves drinking green tea and eating sweets. If you cannot consume caffeine or sugar, please let the teachers know in advance.
• Attendance: Each class builds on the skills learned in the class before. If you miss a class, you will be responsible for catching up with the rest of the group. If classes are cancelled due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, an extra week will be added to the end of the course as a makeup.
• Cancellation policy: Pre-registration is required to hold your place in class. You may cancel for a full refund at any time before the class begins or after the first class. After the second class, no refunds will be issued except in the case of personal emergencies.