Chado, the Way of Tea
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Chado, the Way of Tea, is one of the most time honored Japanese traditional arts. It encompasses all of the different Japanese art forms, aesthetics, and philosophy. Codified almost four hundred years ago by Sen Rikyu, the greatest tea master, the four spirits of tea signify the highest ideals of the Way of Tea: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Its core elements involve the acts of serving and receiving a bowl of tea with the utmost sincerity, appreciation, and attentiveness, while bearing an attitude of single-mindedness and a keen awareness of the concept ichigo, ichie (one life, one opportunity).
The Japan House Tea Study Group meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 pm during the Spring and Fall semesters when university classes are in session.
Please visit our website or email japanhouse-teastudygroup@illinois.edu for more information.
You will need to wear white socks in order to walk on the tatami mats in the tea rooms, because the white signifies purity. You will also want to wear something comfortable kneeling or sitting in while on the tatami mats. We also ask that, as you would in Japan, you wear something so your legs are covered (no shorts/short skirts). The practice of tea ceremony is considered a formal study. We ask that you please dress appropriately.
There is a minimal membership fee per semester and then a small weekly fee to cover your training, as well as tea and a sweet each week.