LLFW 617 - Japanese Tea Ceremony: An Introduction

In celebration of Japan's festival month, step into another culture and another time as you participate in the ancient ritual of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The Tea Ceremony began in seventh-century China and still plays a significant role in Japanese culture today. Your tea master will explain the history and philosophy of the ceremony, its relationship to Zen Buddhism, demonstrate the rules and use of utensils, and have you practice some steps of the ceremony. Then she will conduct the ceremony, serving you a steaming bowl of tea and Japanese sweets to savor. You will leave class with a new perspective and your own Japanese tea kit to practice what you've learned.