We will hold a large-scale tea ceremony event to introduce the art of Japanese tea and the Edo/Tokyo culture that brought it all together to people who are not familiar with tea ceremony or those who are from overseas. The tea ceremony is a composite art that pursues the ultimate aesthetics in the scenery, tools and etiquette involved in the ritualistic process. At the bottom of its unique philosophy lies the spirit of hospitality. The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony, an event where various styles of tea come together to serve in their own ways, is the perfect opportunity to learn the spirit. We hope you enjoy the profound world of Japanese tea ceremony at the picturesque venues of Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum and Hama Rikyu Gardens.

Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2011 Tea Ceremony for Beginners at the Hama Rikyu Gardens

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Culture Creation Project Office (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) and Tokyo Traditional Arts Program Executive Committee join forces to hold the “Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2012” as one of their major programs of “Tokyo Traditional Arts Program” that spread the fascination of traditional Japanese arts and culture to the world. Gathering various styles of tea that serve in their own ways, the event introduces people the art of Japanese tea and the Edo/Tokyo culture that brought it all together.
The event is held at two venues on four days: on Sunday, October 7 and Monday (national holiday), October 8, 2012 at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (Koganei-shi, Tokyo) and on Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14, 2012 at the Hama Rikyu Gardens (Chuo-ku, Tokyo).

This year, the “Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2012” marks its fifth year. Both of the venues offer three programs: Cha-seki (indoor tea ceremony), an authentic tea ceremony experience offered in a building with historical and cultural significance; Nodate (outdoor tea ceremony), a more casual tea ceremony held outside where participants can enjoy the taste of autumn in a lush green environment; and Tea Ceremony for Beginners, a workshop-style session in which first-timers partner up to learn how to prepare tea.
In addition, the Hama Rikyu Gardens will hold Nodate in English for foreigners and tourists from other countries to explain in English the basics of tea ceremony, including the spirit of hospitality and etiquette. The venue will also offer Nodate by High School Students who will be playing the key role in the future of the tradition.

The tea ceremony fee is 700 yen for Cha-seki and 300 yen for Nodate and Tea Ceremony for Beginners. Participants at the Hama Rikyu Gardens are asked to pay the admission in addition to the tea ceremony fee. (Admission is free at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum during the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony.)

In addition to exploring the traditional art of Japanese tea ceremony and offering Cha-seki and Nodate in which participants can learn the spirit of tea ceremony, the Hama Rikyu Gardens will introduce the sophisticated aspect of Edo/Tokyo culture through performances and stages such as Kiyari, songs that are performed at framework raising ceremonies and other festivities, Edo-Daikagura (Juggling Act), a form of folk entertainment popular during the Edo Period, and classical Japanese dance and music. There will also be short seminars on the proper way to brew Japanese tea.

Tickets must be reserved ahead of time in order to participate in Cha-seki at either venue. Please apply by a reply-paid post card or through the official website . One application per person please. Application process starts on Friday, August 10 and ends on Friday, September 14, 2012. If applying by a post card, postmark must be dated no later than September 14, 2012. Since a limited number of seats are available, participants may be selected by a drawing when deemed necessary. If seating is still available or if there are cancellations, tickets for Cha-seki will be sold at the venue on the day of the event.