It started as a casual tea ceremony meeting when I was a student, and thankfully I found myself teaching “Hospitality tea ceremony” to people of all ages, from students to adults, and from Japanese to foreigners, regardless of nationality.

When people answer our questionnaire, they say, “It was fun! “I made friends! “I want to learn more! I want to learn more!

I would like to introduce some of the things that I value in teaching the tea ceremony.

(*This is from a previous small group event.)

１：Communicate about the tea ceremony in a clear and concrete way

The tea ceremony is still a hurdle for many people and has a difficult image.

For this reason, we customize our teachings so that they are easy to understand, concrete, and can be incorporated into daily life.

For example, the reason why the garden of a tea ceremony room is called a “tea room” is to make it easier to imagine.

Have you ever been to Tokyo Disneyland?

Tokyo Disneyland is just a few minutes walk from Maihama Station, but you can actually hear Disney background music and see posters around Maihama Station, right?

And there are people who wear Mickey or Minnie ears and go to Tokyo Disneyland in the same way.

Imagine it. Isn’t that exciting?

It makes you feel like you’re going to Tokyo Disneyland.

Yes, Maihama Station has an image of Tokyo Disneyland, doesn’t it?

In other words, the garden on the way to the tea ceremony room plays a similar role.

It’s the path you take with you to actually enter the teahouse, which is why we no longer call it a teahouse in the same way.”

When I relate it like this, I think, “Haha, I see! Easy to understand! It’s easy to understand!

(As a side note, my parents live near Tokyo Disneyland, so I used to go there a lot when I was little!)

２：You can do it right now

When you think of the tea ceremony, you probably have an image of needing a lot of tools and having to sit on the floor.

However, the lower the hurdle to start, the better.

What I am proposing can be achieved with only five items, and they can be found in your home.

1 A pot or kettle to boil water
2 A teacup (a teacup that is easy for a beginner to make tea in is best)
3 Spoon (teaspoon is best)
4 Matcha
5 Chasen (tea whisk) (a tool for making matcha)
(6) Sweets to eat

These are the above.

Some people often think, “I have to sit on the floor! However, a tea ceremony without sitting on the floor is called “ryu-rei,” and it is a formal part of the tea ceremony.

Also, it is not necessary to sit on tatami mats.

Arrange it this way and enjoy! 

３：Customized for each participant

My hospitality tea ceremony is customized to meet the needs of the participants.

This is because I want them to feel more satisfied with the experience.

For example, if you don’t know anything about tea ceremony, it is for beginners.

For example, if you have never heard of the tea ceremony, we offer a beginner’s course; if you have experienced the tea ceremony, we offer an experienced course.

We also change the events for Japanese and foreigners.

And of course, at certain collaborative events, I also share the essence and relevance of the collaborators.

I believe that this is possible because of the wide range of essences that are packed into the tea ceremony.

4：Not just a classroom lecture, but a structure that allows for communication.

What I myself think when I attend some events or courses is that it would be nice to be able to communicate with the participants and instructors.

Books and magazines are enough to cram knowledge.

I think the essential value of daring to hold courses and events lies in communication.

As there is a Zen saying in the tea ceremony, “once in a lifetime” is a magic that can change your life.

That’s why, in my case, I try to structure the event in a way that allows me to communicate with the participants as much as possible.

5：Essence of perspective that connects to more than just the tea ceremony

Although our events and lectures are on the tea ceremony, we try to connect them with other fields to deepen the understanding and interest in the tea ceremony.

For example, we sometimes touch on meditation and Zen within the tea ceremony.

And the Japanese “Way” is a culture where we can learn important things to live by, as well as being a metaphor for life.

Through the tea ceremony, I would like to share many things with you.

The most important thing is that I enjoy it more than anything else!

After all, I’m the one having the most fun!

And it’s fun! I’m sure the feeling of “I’m having fun” is contagious.

And I believe that the feeling of fun is contagious, so please enjoy yourself when you attend events and lectures!