This is a guest post from my daughter Katie about a class she’s taking this quarter. I’m including it in this weeks Tea Blog-a-thon, Dressed-to-A-Tea, as promised.
Chado – The “tea way”
This quarter I have been fortunate enough to get to take a class on the art of Chado, the Japanese tea ceremony. We meet once a week for lecture, and then once a week we go to the Japanese Garden at the Seattle Arboretum and practice in the tea room. This last week we got to bring home our “fukusa basami”, (pictured) little clutches containing our “fukusa” (ceremonial cloths), some papers for putting sweets on, and our fans. (pictured)
I also decided to buy a yukata and obi to wear for the class, though this is not a requirement. A yukata is an inexpensive, light, informal version of the kimono. Real kimono are pricey and require alot of care. An obi is the broad sash worn with kimono or yukata. My yukata has not yet arrived, but I received my obi early last week. My friend Mika tried several times to tie it for me, but complained that since I was smaller than her she couldn’t get the proportions right. When my instructor arrived she had me come in to the tea house and quickly and expertly tied my obi. I drove home wearing it so that my brother could take a picture. (pictured)
So far we have learned several bows, how to walk in the tea room, how to fold and unfold our fukusa properly, how to whisk tea, and how to take and serve sweets and tea. It’s alot of information to take in, but I’m loving it.
Thanks Katie! When you get your yukata I want another photo!
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The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Hey Katie, what a fascinating post! Whisking tea? Wow…so much to learn, and you’re right in there learning it! I’m with your Mom–looking forward to more pictures!
What a wonderful post! Thank you Ellen AND Katie! This was most interesting! How special to have the opportunity to take a class on Japanese Tea Ceremony. Please share more, Katie, as you have time and new experiences! I’m so interested in this!
🙂 LaTeaDah
very interesting!
love the colors in that obi!
Wow, I had no idea so much was involved. That is very cool that you’re getting this chance to learn the traditions. Hope to see a pic of you in the yukata and obi soon!
Love your tea posts and pics!
Thank you both for team hitting and creating such a wonderful, informative post! This is all very interesting to me. I love the obi. It’s simply beautiful and you’re obviously one of those blessed gals who can get away with wearing one! ;>
Oh Wow! That is just sooooo fun! I would love to sneak into one of her classes with her!
Isn’t the tea ceremony absolutely involved and amazing? We have a Japenese Garden in our city and they hold tea ceremonies there each week throughout the summer.
That bow is just gorgeous!
That’s really interesting. Love the obi.
Oh, I’m so glad you did this post! So interesting ~ and beautiful! What a lovely ceremony! Thank you for sharing this lovely and informative post!
Thank you Ellen and Katie! How wonderful to see your post, interesting, very interesting. Thank you for sharing and we’ll all want to read/see more! 🙂
Ellen and Katie, thank you very much for writing about Japanese tea traditions! What an experience it must be to partake in those traditions on a weekly basis!
Reading your descriptions conjured up a memory: When I was entering high school, my father had a job offer that would have moved my family to Japan. For several reasons, my father did not accept the position, but I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to live there, complete with tea traditions!
I love your beautiful obi, and I, too, would love to see photos of your yukata once it arrives!
Thanks again,
Arleen
What a wonderful, interesting learning experience! Kathy@ Mimi’s Garden
How nice of you to share interesting info. on another tea tradition. Hope to read more soon.
It all sounds so exciting, taking a special class like that, thank you for sharing the information!
I look forward to more interesting information from Katie’s class. I think this guest author thing is kind of fun. I’m thinking, “who can I get to write for me”?
Hi Ellen and Katie,
It looks like you’re having a wonderful time in your class. It would be interesting to know what some of the traditions are and why. Your Obi is darling!
Thanks Ellen for the guest post. Let me know if you make it to the Huntigton.
What a fun experience you are having! Please do post your full costume when it arrives!
Oh, I shouldn’t be jealous but I am! You are so fortunate to have this class in your area! I wish I could join you! And the obi is gorgeous!
looking forward to reading more about your tea ceremony adventure and studies.