Whether it is your first time to witness the meticulous preparation of rich and foamy matcha tea or if you are returning to marvel at the expert and elegant movements of Urasenke chadō practitioners, join us at Japan House London for a tea demonstration held as part of a quarterly series presented by Tankokai UK.

Chadō or the Japanese Way of Tea boasts more than 400 years of history with many practitioners not only in Japan, but all over the world. Considered a way to socialize, this act of preparing and serving matcha tea to guests is a practice that involves a deep attention to single movements and gestures, an appreciation of the craft objects and their role in the process and an awareness of the surrounding environment.

Demonstrations are held quarterly on Saturday afternoons by chadō practitioners from Tankokai UK, an association connected to Urasenke, one of the largest Tea schools in Japan. Although each demonstration might be conducted differently depending on the season or number participants, guests are always given an opportunity to experience first-hand the values and significance of the Way of Tea in everyday life. Each event offers the possibility to ask questions, engage in conversation with the practitioners and sometimes even to taste the freshly made, delicious tea.

Attendees to the demonstrations can also observe the use of a special natsume (tea caddy) crafted by the artist Chahira Issai from the Chahira Issai workshop in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture. The region was hit by a magnitude-7.6 earthquake, followed by landslides, fires, and a tsunami warning on 1 January 2024, leading to widespread devastation in towns such as Wajima and Noto, renowned for their lacquerware traditions. The natural disaster has significantly impacted local businesses, including many involved in this craft. By incorporating this natsume into the demonstrations, Japan House London hopes to draw attention to the craftsmanship of the artisans and communities affected and to the ongoing recovery efforts.

The demonstrations on 28 September 2024 are led by Urasenke Tea Master Kimura Sōkei. Tickets are released for booking around two weeks before each event.

Demonstrations Schedule:

Saturday 8 June 2024, 15:00; 16:30

Saturday 28 September 2024, 15:00; 16:30 (bookings opening 13 September 2024)

Saturday 14 December 2024, 15:00; 16:30(bookings opening 1 December 2024)

Saturday 22 March 2025, 15:00; 16:30 (bookings opening 8 March 2025)

Booking essential, admission free: spaces for each demonstration are limited