In Japanese, cha means tea, and kai is the word for meeting or gathering. Portland International Chakai represents a gathering of tea practitioners from around the world. Teachers and their students from three distinct schools of tea will be giving public Tea Ceremony demonstrations throughout the day at Portland Japanese Garden.
Practitioners from Urasenke, Omotesenke, and Ueda Soko will be located at three key spots around the Garden. Urasenke will provide demonstrations in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner on the floating tatami mats. In the Yanai Family Classroom, Ueda Soko will be demonstrating on portable tatami mats. Omotesenke will be located in our Kashintei Tea House.
Public demonstrations are scheduled for:
- 10:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
Visitors are invited to observe some or all of these demonstrations and gain insight into the artistry and complexities of serving and receiving a bowl of tea.
More About Tea Ceremony
The traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony is a manner of preparing and drinking a bowl of tea. More than just making tea, it reflects the Japanese sense of omotenashi, or wholehearted hospitality. It involves choreographed movements where both the host and guest escape the fast pace of life and experience calm. Portland Japanese Garden considers the Tea Ceremony a form of cultural diplomacy, introducing people to an aspect of Japanese culture that they may not know about.
Sen no Rikyū (1522-1591) is perhaps the most influential figure in Japanese Tea Ceremony history. Founder of the Sen family, he occupies an important place not just in the world of tea, but in the history of Japan. His cultural and political leadership, combined with his artistic sense and Zen-based ideals, established the foundations for Chadō, the Way of Tea. Preparing, serving, receiving, and drinking tea transformed from an activity into a comprehensive discipline under his (and his subsequent generations) teachings.
The Three Participating Schools in this gathering:
Urasenke
Urasenke Konnichian of Kyoto is one of the major establishments within Japan that has preserved the tradition of Chadō or the Way of Tea. From Sen no Rikyū to the current headmaster Zabosai Genmoku Soshitsu XVI (b.1956 -), the Sen family lineage has devoted great effort to fostering the philosophy of Tea through the simple words of Wa (Harmony), Kei (Repect), Sei (Purity), and Jaku (Tranquility). Over the years Urasenke has established connections in over 21 cities worldwide. Urasenke literally translates to “rear Sen house”, referring to the location of the homestead of this particular line of the Sen family.
Omotesenke
Omotesenke (lit. front Sen house) is another of the three main families transmitting and preserving the traditions of chanoyu (the act of performing Tea Ceremony) established by Sen no Rikyū, with Yuyusai Sosa inheriting the mantle of 15th generation Iemoto – headmaster. Wabi-cha, one of Rikyu’s ideals, emphasizes simplicity and a beauty that is not seen by the eye but rather perceived by the heart. This philosophy became the basis for the Omotesenke style of chanoyu and is deeply rooted in the daily lives and natural beauty of Japan and its people.
Ueda Sōko
The Ueda Sōko tradition of Tea Ceremony was born during Japan’s most violent period in history. Samurai took their customs, etiquette, and values and incorporated them into the practice of chanoyu, devoting themselves to the practice and celebrating being alive with their comrades. Founded by Sengoku Warlord Ueda Sōko (1563–1650), this is sometimes referred to as Samurai Tea or Samurai Meditation. The Ueda Sōko style of tea has been passed down for over 400 years.
Portland Japanese Garden would like to thank James F. and Marion L. The Miller Foundation and Oregon Arts Commission for their support of arts and culture programming.
