EXPERIENCE TEA:
During the Exhibition, members of various tea groups will be presenting three kinds of tea experiences, which will take place in the temporary tea room which will be constructed in the center of the gallery. Each is described below:
INTRODUCTION TO TEA CEREMONY
Chado, also known as chanoyu and commonly referred to as the Japanese Tea Ceremony in English, is a spiritual and aesthetic discipline for refinement of the self. Chado centers on the activity of host and guest/s spending a mutually heartwarming time together over a bowl of matcha tea. The host aims to serve the guest an unforgettably satisfying bowl of tea, and the guest responds with thankfulness, both of them realizing that the time shared can never be repeated, that it is a “once in a lifetime” occasion. The present day Chado was established approximately 400 hundred years ago and is also often called a comprehensive art. It includes not only pottery, but also knowledge of urushi Japanese lacquerware, metalware, calligraphy, incense, flower arrangement, cooking, gardening, architecture, kimono, etc. which all are carefully made by skilled artisans.
*If you have any food allergies, please let us know when you register. We also have a limited amount of caffeine-free matcha-alternative tea.
TEA DEMONSTRATION
Chado demonstration with plenty of time for Q&A. You will be served a freshly hand-made sweet and matcha tea. Space is limited. Please pre-register through the website or call the office at 610-566-1713.
*Please specify if you would like to sit on the tatami mat in the tearoom or on a chair surrounding the tearoom. (7 seats on floor mats, 10 seats in chairs = 17 total)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: $40
Dates / Times:
2/8 – Saturday, 1pm – with Omotesenke from NY/Princeton
2/15 – Saturday, 1 pm – Mimi Pakenham from NY
2/22- Saturday, 1 pm – with Mioko Miller from DC Urasenke
DROP-IN TEA TIME
While visiting the Exhibition, please drop in and relax with sweets and matcha tea. Representatives from various tea groups will be making tea for guest during these times.
Duration: 20-30 min
Fee: $10
Dates / Times:
2/2 – Sunday, 2-4 pm
2/9 – Sunday, 2-4 pm
2/16 – Sunday, 2-4 pm
2/23 – Sunday, 2-4 pm
Please stop in the office to pay when you arrive.
ABBRIVIATED CHAJI
Urasenke Philadelphia will present a shortened version of a chaji, including several food dishes, sake, two different kinds of sweets and two different kinds of matcha tea. To fully enjoy the abbreviated chaji, attending one of the tea demonstrations beforehand is highly recommended.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Fee: $125
Date / Time: 3:00pm on Sat March 1st (snow date is Sunday, March 2nd)
*Please specify if you would like to sit on the tatami mat in the tearoom or on a chair surrounding the tearoom. This is limited to a total of 10 participants.