Urasenke Tankokai Los Angeles Association conducted two tea ceremony demonstrations for the students of their Japanese program and Asian and Asian American Studies programs at the Karl W. E. Anatol Center. One hundred students and faculty participated in the tea experience on March 19, 2025.

Students were introduced to Misonodana, a table used for the tea procedure. They had a glimpse of implements used for the tea procedure, spirituality and togetherness through observation and participation in sharing a bowl of tea. Soho Duffey provided an explanation of the Way of Tea or Chado.

A calligraphy by Yamashita Kenkou Roshi from Zenshuji, “Wa kei sei jaku“was displayed. It was selected to educate the students on the principles set forth by Sen no Rikyu Koji, 16th Century Tea Master and founder of the Urasenke school of tea. Seasonal flowers of camelia and kodemari were displayed in a Hagi vase.

This was a first opportunity for the Tankokai to develop a relationship with California State University Long Beach. The student and faculty showed interest in continuing to foster further programs involving Urasenke tea culture.