One place left in the new Introduction Class

Editor's Note: The class is now filled.  Please contact me if you'd like to be on the waiting list.

The new Introduction to Japanese Culture and Chado Class begins this Friday, January 11, 2013 and meets on Fridays for 10 weeks.  We have a new venue at
Portland Tea Enthusiasts’ Alliance
828 Southeast Ash Street, #204
Portland, OR 97214

Fee: $250, includes all equipment, tea, sweets and supplies for all classes including calligraphy, kimono and incense. Only one place is left in the class.  Please contact me immediately if you would like to join us:  margie@issoantea.com, 503-645-7058.  Full tuition is due at the first class, and I take cash, check or credit card.


Tea ceremony in Japan is called Chanoyu, literally “hot water for tea.” Sen Rikyu, who established the foundations of the spiritual path of Chado (the way of tea), lived in the 16th century teaching wabi-cha, or tea of quiet taste. In Chado the spiritual aspect is most important. We learn the heart of Chado through the ceremony of drinking tea. The basic principles are expressed in the words harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Harmony can be created between persons, between objects, between a person and an object – among all matters of the world. This is illustrated in the interactions between a host and a guest and the tea utensils handled. In Chado, we should respect every one and everything without distinction of status or rank. Spiritual purity is essential. We can embody tranquility only when we make harmony, respect, and purity our own. By learning Chado, we seek to obtain an ultimate peace of mind. The present Grand Tea Master teaches the thought of “peacefulness through a bowl of tea.” It is very simple if we are just making tea and drinking tea, but if we trying to understand the heart of Chanoyu, we can find that it is not just making and drinking tea. Through preparing a bowl of tea we learn to look within ourself, respect one another, make peace with others and express gratitude toward all things.
In this ten week class, students will be introduced to Chado, the way of tea. The arts of Japan will be examined through the ritual preparation and drinking of matcha, Japanese ceremonial tea.  Students will participate in at least six tea ceremonies, an incense ceremony, and kimono dressing.  Japanese architecture, gardening, flower arranging and calligraphy will also be covered