While chaseki (tea ceremony) has been, since the Edo Period, a time to respect the manners and spirits behind all elements of the activity, it sometimes seems intimidating for beginners because of its formalities. Tokyo Culture Creation Project has tried to demystify the tea ceremony and invite people, including non-Japanese people, to a world of profound culture and hospitality.
The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony will be held twice at different locations: Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum and Hamarikyu Garden. Both sites have calm and well-treated green environment, the ideal complement to having tea. Hamarikyu Garden, will also hold an English "nodate" (outdoor tea ceremonies) for people from overseas, for which interpreters will be at hand to translate the instructor's descriptions of tea-ceremony etiquette.
Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony will take place in Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei, Tokyo, on Oct. 1 and 2 (admission to the park is free, but it is ¥300 to participate in the tea ceremony); and Hama Rikyu Garden in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, on Oct. 22 and 23 (admission to the park is ¥300 and it is ¥300 to participate in the tea ceremony. For more information, visit www.dento-wa.jp.