Tea Ceremony and Flower Arrangement Presentation

Tracing back to the ninth century, the Japanese tea ceremony involves the simple act of preparing and receiving tea with mutual appreciation and respect. Four tea schools that carry on this tradition in Southern California—Omotesenke, Urasenke, Ogasawara-ryu, and Edosenke—will present their unique style of tea ceremony in the newly-opened 5F Salon.

Omotesenke and Urasenke are considered among the three historical households directly descended from 16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522–1591). Both schools are dedicated to transmitting the Way of Tea developed by their mutual family founder. The founder of Edosenke, Kawakami Fuhaku (1716–1807), was not a direct descendant of Sen, and became a tea master under the 7th generation head of the Omotesenke line. He set up a tea house in Edo (Tokyo), where he pursued the Way of Tea in Edo. Ogasawara-ryu alone is a sencha school, using Japanese tea leaves instead of matcha powder, and hot water kept at a specific temperature. Manners are very important in Ogasawara-ryu, and you can feel the mind and beauty of the hospitality through the performance.

Ikebana flower arrangements by the Ikebana Teachers Association of Southern California will also be on view. A disciplined art form in which the artist's intention is shown through a piece's color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the implied meaning of the arrangement, ikebana dates back to the 7th century and currently has over 1,000 different schools in Japan and abroad. This exhibition will feature thre three schools: Sogetsu, Ikenobo, and Ohara.

Come experience hospitality for your body and mind.