The Japanese tea ceremony and hospitality is centered on several terms such as chanoyu zashiki (茶湯座敷, sitting room for chanoyu), sukiya (place for poetry and aesthetic interests), and kakoi (囲, divided space). In the spirit of this ethos, the space will be an aesthetically serene environment to take space before, during and after, the scheduled cultural programming. Join a traditional tea ceremony demonstration by Omotesenke Domonkai, an organization dedicated to the inheritance and promotion of more than 400 year old tradition of Chanoyu handed down in *Omotesenke in Kyoto. It is composed of people who study the Omotesenke style way of tea, and its activities are aimed at the inheritance and development of Japanese tradition.
Omotesenke style Chanoyu
Chanoyu means, the hot water for tea. Chanoyu’s final form was established by our first grand master and founder, Sen no Rikyu. Rikyu’s ideal of the Chanoyu beauty is one that is perceived by the heart rather than the eye. This has become the basis of Omotesenke Style Chanoyu. In Sado (the Way of Tea) the procedure of making tea and the receiving of tea depends on an agreement about how to do things that has been handed down. This is called “Kata” (form). Kata is not something that can be understood logically, with the mind only, but is learned through the body. The old way of entertaining is learned and the host and guest carry on their exchange through Kata. They show each other every curtesy, exchanging the spirit that lives in Kata and develop a mind and body that treats things carefully. This could be learned through the keiko (the practice of tea). Rikyu eliminated all unnecessary movements to the utmost. This refined simplicity highlights the profound exchange of hearts between the host and the guest.
According to the tradition of Rikyu’s tea procedure, temae (tea procedure) should flow lightly and smoothly like a stream that remains clear, leaving nothing behind. The movements of the host should be natural and without embellishment, the spirit residing in simplicity and having a depth resulting from the unity of a profound mind and spirit which resonates in the hearts of the guests. This is the spirit of wabi-cha (Omotesenke style Chanoyu). We engage in repeated practices so that we can understand the spirit of Chanoyu. ~The Omotesenke Tradition, Fushin’an Bunko Library
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Storyline Partners and CAAM are piloting a revolving tea salon inspired by cultures and traditions from West Asia…
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