Ichigo ichieâThe singular experience of Japanese tea.
Preparing for a tea gathering begins with a welcoming spirit. The host arranges flowers in containers made of bamboo, clay, or metal. They place incense, food, and sweets in ceramic or lacquer vessels. They display a hanging scroll with calligraphy or a painting in a special alcove called the tokonoma. Using a careful choice of precious toolsâbowls, jars, scoops, and ladlesâthey make and serve the tea. Every part of the arrangement is chosen with care. Materials, colors, and textures may respond to the season or the weather. An object may call to mind a feeling or story. The host's goal is to delight guests and engage all their senses. The early tea master Sen no RikyĆ« (1522â1591) described this as ichigo ichie, meaning "one time, one meeting"âa reminder that each gathering is its own unique experience.
The tea house in this gallery was built in Japan and then disassembled and reassembled in Seattle by Japanese carpenters in 1992. It reflects an idea called wabi, at the heart of Sen no Rikyƫ's approach to tea: the discovery of beauty and joy in simple and imperfect things. Thanks to the support of the Seattle Branch of Urasanke Foundation and in partnership with trained instructors from the local group Seizankai, we host tea demonstrations here throughout the year.