Southwest (SW)

Portland Japanese Garden’s Tea Ceremony Workshop offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional practice of Chanoyu, or the Way of Tea. Experience the art of tranquility, mindfulness, and omotenashi, whole-hearted hospitality.

It is not an exaggeration to say that through tea, one can understand much of Japanese culture. Tea’s influence can be found in many of the nation’s most beloved artforms, including arranging flowers, calligraphy, incense, ceramics and lacquerware. Japanese gardens are also deeply intertwined with tea ceremony. The four principles of tea, wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility), are explored by the gardeners of Portland Japanese Garden in their work every day.

Guided by skilled instructor Jan Waldmann, Sosui, the focus of this workshop is to learn to be a guest in the tea ceremony, an important aspect to this historic tradition. Participants will learn the proper etiquette for attending a tea ceremony, including how to receive and consume sweets and matcha, and most importantly, the reasons behind each of the steps. Additionally, you will gain insight into what it entails to be a host— understanding the occasion and seasonality, attention to aesthetics, careful preparation, and the thoughtful gestures made toward the guests.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Classroom.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden (2:00-2:30pm) before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Family Classroom (2:45-4:15pm).

No previous experience is needed. Students will sit in a chair at a table, not kneeling on a tatami mat.

Urasenke Konnichian of Kyoto is one of the major establishments within Japan that has preserved the tradition of Chado or the Way of Tea.  From the first Urasenke generation, Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) to the current headmaster Zabosai Genmoku Soshitsu XVI (b.1956 -), the Sen family lineage has devoted great effort to fostering the philosophy of Tea through the simple words of Wa – Harmony, Kei -Repect, Sei – Purity & Jaku – Tranquility. Over the years Urasenke has established connections in over 21 cities worldwide.

Portland Japanese Garden will offer free public demonstrations of Chadō, the Way of Tea, at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.

The Way of Tea is intrinsically linked to Japanese gardens and understanding the kokoro (heart) of Japanese gardening.

The traditional Japanese tea ceremony is a manner of preparing and drinking a bowl of tea. More than just making tea, it reflects the Japanese sense of omotenashi, or wholehearted hospitality. It involves choreographed movements where both the host and guest escape the fast pace of life and experience calm.

Celebrate the season with a little holiday magic at Portland Japanese Garden. For three special weekends, experience the Garden’s traditional winter decorations, shop for thoughtful Japanese and Japanese-inspired gifts, and have your purchases beautifully wrapped in cloth using the Japanese custom of furoshiki. Along the way, warm up with seasonal teas and treats from the Umami Café and make an origami ornament to take home. These Holiday Weekends are a festive way to slow down, enjoy the season, and find something meaningful for everyone on your list.

Did you know? Furoshiki refers to traditional Japanese cloths that are used to wrap and carry items, including gifts. Traditionally, when presenting a gift wrapped in furoshiki, givers would take the cloth back home with them. Today, furoshiki may also be given as part of the gift itself, valued both for their beauty and as environmentally friendly, reusable alternatives to disposable paper wrap. Recipients can then reuse the cloth for wrapping and carrying items or presenting a future gift.