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Chanoyu
Experience the Way of Tea
at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
Tankokai Tea Group Practicing Chanoyu
at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
What is the
Way of Tea?
The Four Values of Chado
和 Wa (Harmony) - harmony between host, guests, the setting, and nature
敬 Kei (Respect) - respect towards one another and our surroundings
清 Sei (Purity) - to purify oneself and have an open heart
寂 Jaku (Serenity) - serenity achieved by obtaining harmony, respect, and purity
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Chanoyu - the Way of Tea
Chado, also known as chanoyu is often referred to as the Japanese tea ceremony in English. Cultural, contemplative and communal, this art form is based on hundreds of years of perfecting the bodily movements and mental disciplines involved in each tea gathering.
Chanoyu, which literally means “hot water for tea”, refers to the activities summarized by the following quote from the Urasenke school of tea:
“...the Way of Tea concerns the creation of the proper setting for that moment of enjoyment of a perfect bowl of tea. Everything that goes into that serving of tea, even the quality of the air and the space where it is served, becomes a part of its flavor. The perfect tea must therefore capture the 'flavor' of the moment — the spirit of the season, of the occasion, of the time and the place. The event called chaji — that is, a full tea gathering — is where this takes place, and where the Way of Tea unfolds as an exquisite, singular moment in time shared by the participants.” - Urasenke Konnichian
A fundamental phrase in chanoyu, is ichigo-ichie, “one time, one meeting." Ichigo-ichie is an awareness that moments are unrepeatable and there will never be another moment exactly like the one you are currently experiencing.
Therefore, each tea ceremony is a once in a lifetime event. The current Iemoto, Sen Soshitsu, says "Ichigo-ichie is simply a matter of taking in everything we encounter, touch, hear, see, and feel around us, moment to moment, without pretense.” This inspires participants to cherish and treasure each experience with the utmost sincerity. Chanoyu can be appreciated by anyone who joins us at the Japanese Friendship Garden with these principles in mind, even if it is their first time.
Chanoyu at Musoan Tea House
Chanoyu at our Tea House
At the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, Tankokai tea group has been practicing the Way of Tea in our tea house for the past 25 years.
Public tea is now held one Saturday of each month, October through June, and divided into 4 public seatings with 5 to 6 seats available for each seating.
Over the last year, we have focused on imbuing our Chanoyu experience with deeper, richer, and more immersive tea culture for our guests. Take this opportunity to appreciate culture, community, and contemplation through a respected Japanese art form and come away with a fresh awareness of natural beauty and inner peace.
What the Experience Includes
Please Note:
Each tea seating can accommodate up to 6 guests, reservations are limited. As this is public tea, all guests who have reserved the tea seating for the same time will experience the gathering together.
Our Chanoyu (the Way of Tea) program requires complete silence for a duration of 30 minutes during the ceremony.
The entire experience (including the tour) lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
Guests must be 12 years or older to participate.
The experience of Chanoyu starts with a tour of the tea garden where guests will prepare themselves for tea together. Guests can experience wearing tabi and zori (Japanese socks and sandals), purifying their hands and mouths at our tsukubai (stone and bamboo basin), walking along our tea garden tobiishi (stepping-stones) which will guide them to tea the house, and finally entering through the nijiriguchi (a small entrance that causes all guests to have to bow to the same equal height when entering the tearoom).
Once guests enter the tea house they will experience the Way of Tea through a traditional tea ceremony presented by Tankokai tea group, in the Urasenke school’s traditional style. Guests will be served freshly whisked matcha (green tea) and a traditional Japanese sweet during the course of the experience as well as learn the hand motions and proper way to drink tea at a gathering to try for themselves. After the experience, guests are encouraged to enjoy the rest of our 3.5-acre, authentic Japanese garden as well.
Reservations Will Open Soon
To be added to the waitlist for next season (2024-2025), please contact Eriko.s@jfgphx.org.
Do you still want to experience Japanese Tea culture?
Consider taking a Tea Tour!
Chanoyu Dates
2023
October 14 / November 18
/ December 9
2024
January 13 / February 10 / March 9 / April 13 / May 11
Chanoyu Seating Times
First seating
Check in at front gate: 9:00 am
Chanoyu program starts: 9:10 am
Second seating
Check in at front gate: 10:00 am
Chanoyu program starts: 10:10 am
Third seating
Check in at front gate: 12:00 pm
Chanoyu program starts: 12:10 pm
Fourth seating
Check in at front gate: 1:00 pm
Chanoyu program starts: 1:10 pm
Chanoyu Reservations
General: $100
Members: $90
(Includes Garden admission)
Limited to 4 seatings per day. Each seating accommodates 5 to 6 guests. Members must show their membership card at the gate to confirm their ticket status. Presale tickets only.
Cancellation Policies
Chanoyu that do not meet minimum enrollment one week prior to the start date may be canceled at the Japanese Friendship Garden's discretion. The Japanese Friendship Garden will contact guests in the affected ceremony and offer refunds or placement in an alternate date.
Refunds
Guests who register for a class or program that is canceled for any reason by Japanese Friendship Garden will receive a full refund.
Guests who withdraw from a class/program at least 10 business days prior the scheduled class/program start date may receive a full refund on their registration. (A “business day” is defined as M-F.)