JAPANESE TEA TRADITIONS

Make a delicious bowl of tea; lay the charcoal so that it heats the water; arrange the flowers as they are in the field; in summer suggest coolness, in winter, warmth; do everything ahead of time; prepare for rain; and give those with whom you find yourself every consideration.
— Sen no Rikyu (1522 - 1591)

The tea world celebrates the anniversary of the death of Sen no Rikyu, Buddhist priest and ancestor of the Sen Schools of Tea, in March.  It is he, in the 16th century, who gave the Japanese Tea Ceremony its present shape.

Stuck in an English tea rut? Whether you’re a tea room owner or a passionate tea fan, if you’ve longed to learn about ancient Asian tea traditions, this tour is for you! Our tour begins with a traditional tea ceremony in the Omotesennke Tradition of Tea hosted by Ms. Masako Sohga Koike in her private Sohga-an, tea room. Mr. Michael McKenna, who has lived in Japan and studied the ritual for 12 years, will explain the elegant ceremony. Following instructions in basic etiquette, our group, seated on tatami mats or comfortable sofas, will be served a typical sweet and freshly made “thin” green tea.

After the ceremony, we will take a short walk to a restaurant selected by Ms. Koike, to enjoy a contemporary Japanese lunch followed by a visit to a famous confectionary store to see and sample wagashi sweets artfully shaped like seasonal fruits and flowers. There’ll also be opportunities to browse for books about Japanese tea traditions as well as shop for beautifully packaged loose teas, teapots, and tea-related accessories, including bamboo charcoal said to sweeten tea brewing water. 

DATE:
By appointment only.

MEET:
Please meet at 10:10 AM sharp in the lobby of 347 West 57th Street, btwn. 7th and 8th Aves. Subway: A/1/C trains to 59 Street - Columbus Circle.  Exit near intersection of Columbus Cir and 8th Ave. Tel. 212-581-2855  

NOTE:
It is customary to remove one’s shoes at the entrance to the tearoom. You might like to bring a lightweight pair of white socks and a white cloth handkerchief with you

COST:
The cost per person, minimum 6 people, maximum 14 people, is $110. The fee includes the tea ceremony, lunch and tastings.

What if I don’t have a group of 6?
Fee minimums apply for smaller groups or private tours. We often combine several smaller groups. Please contact us to discuss dates and availability.

This tour lasts approx. 3 1/2- 4 hours depending up the size of the group and its interests, and covers approx. 1-2 miles. We will be walking at a moderate pace, on busy, sometimes crowded streets, with stops at various locations along the way.