Returning to the Way of Tea

This weekend, I attended the 55th Anniversary of the
Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association — a moment of quiet joy and deep reverence.

Chado, the Way of Tea, is an extraordinarily well-preserved cultural tradition. It teaches us how to move, how to listen, how to prepare, and how to be present — not just in tea, but in life.

I had the opportunity to experience ryūrei-style tea ceremony, a format introduced in the Meiji era when Japan began welcoming Western guests who weren’t quite ready for long periods of floor sitting. Even then, tea ceremony adapted — gracefully.

My mother has studied tea ceremony for 20 years. Now, I step onto the path again myself.

Tea ceremony reminds us that beauty lives in intention, not speed.
That tradition is not static — it is practiced.

Would you like to know more about the Way of Tea?

Love you tea babes xo

What Is Urasenke Chado?

Urasenke is one of the three main schools of Japanese tea ceremony and one of the most widely practiced worldwide. It emphasizes accessibility, warmth, and heartfelt connection while remaining deeply rooted in tradition.

At its core, Urasenke Chado is guided by four principles:

• Wa (Harmony) — with people, objects, and nature
• Kei (Respect) — for others and for each moment
  
• Sei (Purity) — both physical and spiritual
• Jaku (Tranquility) — the quiet that follows practice
  
  

Why practice tea ceremony?

Tea ceremony is not about drinking tea.
It is about learning how to be present, how to care for others, and how to move through life with intention.

By understanding its traditions, we learn:

• Mindfulness through movement
• Gratitude through preparation
  
• Respect through repetition
  
• Peace through attention
  
  

Chado is a lifelong practice — one bowl at a time.

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