People are angry. They are occupying streets everywhere in the world, demonstrating, protesting, and marching. People have every right to demand social justice, end of police brutality, end of racial discrimination. To whom am I to demand? How do I achieve these changes? Discrimination doesn’t exist on the street nor in the city hall. It …
The eighth Senses from Japan is now over. During the four days, 138 people, to be exact, came to see our tea ceremony demonstrations and DIY Make Your Matcha time. For many of them it was the first time experiencing this form of Japanese tradition. I hope they enjoyed the moment. This event wouldn’t have …
The 8th Senses from Japan event is coming up! Many thanks to Fran’s Chocolates for hosting once again this 4-day showcase dedicated to sharing Japan’s rich traditions exquisite craftsmanship and artistry. Watch a traditional tea ceremony, try making your own matcha green tea, and shop the Heiando America urushi lacquerware popup shop. And there will …
When asked to teach a group of airline crews Japanese hospitality by demonstrating tea ceremony, I was not sure what to do. The venue is a conference room at their office…. Not much space to set all the tea utensils. Won’t it be boring for the crews to simply watch somebody making a bowl of …
Today is a special day, even after 74 years. I usually don’t repost somebody else’s post. Today is an exception. As a student of the Way of Tea, I think it most appropriate to simply share the message of what Genshitsu Sen, the former Grandmaster of Urasenke has been spreading in the last 74 years, …
Finally the summer has come in Seattle this year. No doubt it’s the best season here. To be honest, I don’t think I can ever go back to Japan in the summer and spend any time in its hot and humid weather. How could people bear that scorching sun or that humidity in old days …
Photo: courtesy of Brian Chu Photography Senses from Japan – Spring 2019 is now over. For those of you who came, thank you very much much! And many thanks to my dear friends at Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association who volunteered for the event. It was surely exhausting, setting up the venue, bringing all the …
Senses from Japan – Spring 2019 starts today. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you these men and women who created beautiful Ikebana arrangements. (Sorry, one person is missing because she had to leave earlier!) Each has been taking Sogetsu Ikebana classes for over a year. For this exhibition, each person chose his or own …