2016 ZENSHUJI'S ANNUAL CHASEN KUYO

Zenshuji’s Annual Chasen Kuyo

(Tea Ceremony Whisk Commemoration)

November 6, 11am - 4pm

Tea practitioners and the public is invited.

You don't have to go to Kyoto for authentic Japanese Zen Tea Ceremony culture. Zenshuji Soto Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles, invites the general public to attend its annual Chasen Kuyo, celebration of the chasen, the bamboo tea whisk used to make a bowl of matcha (powdered green tea). The event attracts practitioners of all Japanese tea ceremony schools in the region in seasonal kimono.

This chakai (tea ceremony gathering) combines two distinct temae (tea procedures) in the temple's tea venues and a superbly prepared chaseki (meal for tea ceremony) incorporating seasonal shojin riori (vegetarian temple cuisine) crafted by the temple's chefs.

Chanoyu (tea ceremony is not often enjoyed outside Japan in its original context, that of a Zen Buddhist Temple. Zenshuji, one of the oldest and most prominent Zen temples in North America, is unique to host this event. The day begins with a solemn Buddhist service in the hondo (main sanctuary) offering tea in appreciation of the efforts of the humble hand-tool. A talk about Zen and Chado (the "Way of Tea") will follow chanting of traditional Buddhist sutras.

 

 English language explanation of the events will be provided for newcomers. Chairs will be available.

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: DEADLINE: OCTOBER 30, 2016
 Reservations are limited: $55 per person donation. No walk-ins are permitted on the day of the event.

Payment in full by check should be made in advance to Zenshuji Sado-bu and sent to 123 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. For more information, call 213.624.8658.

Zenshuji's Sado-bu (Tea Ritual organization) is headed by Hiromi Sosei Yamashita, sensei, a senior student of the Chado Urasenke Distinguished Tea Master and USA/NEA National Heritage Fellow Sosei Matsumoto Sensei, of Los Angeles. The Zenshuji Sado-bu presented chanoyu demonstrations at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and has been active for over 30 years.