茶道 [Japanese Tea Ceremony] - A Talk and Demonstration by Yoko Motoyama

In conjunction with the exhibition 芸［Gei]: The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal held at Contemporary Craft, we present you with a talk and demonstration of the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. In this one-hour program, experienced tea practitioner Yoko Motoyama will introduce us to the history, beauty, and philosophy of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Admission is free, please consider donating to support the sustainability of our public programs.

About the Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism, so talking about tea practice requires an introduction of Zen. There are four values instilled by Murata Juko, with Sen no Rikyu building upon it later on in 16th century. They are:

• Harmony 和 — In the rite of tea, this is represented by which utensils are used and how the space is arranged.
• Respect 敬 — Mutual respect is expected from both the host and the guests.
• Purity 清 — This is shown in the cleanliness of the space and the utensils used. The simple act of cleaning the space and the utensils can also help prepare one’s heart for the ceremony.
• Tranquility 寂 — This state of calm can be attained by working to achieve the first three values.

About Yoko Motoyama

Yoko Motoyama began her study of the tea ceremony discipline at the age of 15. She took lessons on and off at her home town and in Tokyo, where she lived before moving to the US. She was certified as a junior instructor in the Urasenke School, one of the three main schools of Japanese tea ceremony.

Banner image credit: vessel by Yoko-Sekino Bove, arrangement by Reiko Nakashima (Photograph taken by Reagan West-Whitman)

Image caption: On the left, Yoko Motoyama, with fellow tea practitioner, Yuko Eguchi, on the right.

Host or Publisher Contemporary Craft