On Saturday, August 29, 2020, Wagashi Making Workshop “Nerikiri 201” was held via Zoom – Urasenke Tankokai Los Angeles Association’s first attempt at a virtual event. Over 60 members and families attended the workshop and enjoyed making wagashi or Japanese sweets.

The instructor was Ms. Nobue Kodama, a member of the Zenshuji chadobu. She also prepared nicely packed ingredients for those who wanted them. The theme is making nerikiridane (dough) and forming the dough into a piece of Japanese sweets. As Ms. Kodama explained precisely and humorously with the video closeup on her technique, the participants were able to make nice and delicious wagashi.

It was the first event by the association since last March, because we could not gather in person due to COVID-19. Everyone felt the bond through the Way of Tea over the screen even if they were physically away.