Come Have Matcha - Ryurei (Table-style Ritual)

Be a guest to a small group tea gathering where Helen Kong will serve you a sweet and prepare a bowl of usucha (thin matcha) in the Ryurei procedure.  Ryurei (Table Tea), was introduced to the Chado procedure repertoire during the modern age when Japan was open internationally and started to import western furniture into their daily life. The introduction of table and chairs to tea made Chado accessible for those who could not sit in seiza (kneeling on the ground).

In this semi-formal tea gathering, there will be a brief introduction to Chado/Chanoyu, the procedure presented, the etiquette of serving and receiving a bowl of matcha, appreciating the teawares and Helen will share her lived experiences of her ongoing study of tea.

Helen has over 16 years of studying Chado (3 years intensively in Japan and continued when she returned to Toronto). While that may seem like a long time, it is a drop compared to the vast ocean of knowledge and wisdom of the tea world. Helen's passion lies in the connection of humans, tea and the tea vessels. These ceramics items might seem to be just objects, but when taken good care of, these vessels last beyond a single human's lifetime. Many tea bowls in Japan are passed down from one generation to the next. When we sip tea from a bowl, we are connecting with a lineage of past and future users.

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Date: April 6th Saturday

Location: 235 Spadina Ave Unit 4, Toronto

Sweet: a piece of dried fruit and Wasanbon (Japanese pressed fine sugar candy)

Tea: Koyamaen Kinrin Matcha (part of Icha Tea's collection of tea for sale)