Kimiko Gunji will perform a tea ceremony and her demonstration will include an explanation of its historical background and its relation to Zen philosophy. She will also discuss in what ways this centuries old art has influenced contemporary Japan’s industry as well as the daily life of the Japanese people.

Chado, the Way of Tea, is based upon the simple act of boiling water, making tea, offering it to others, and drinking the tea. Served with a respectful heart and received with gratitude, a bowl of tea satisfies both physical and spiritual thirst.

The frenzied world and our myriad of dilemmas leave our bodies and minds exhausted. It is then that we seek a place where we can have a moment of peace and tranquility. In the discipline of chado such place can be found. The four principles of tea: harmony, respect, purity and tranquility, codified almost four hundred years ago, are timeless guides to the practice of Chado. Incorporating them into daily life helps one to find that unassailable place of tranquility that is within each of us.

Urasenke Grand Tea Mater XV, Soshitsu Sen