Rikyuki & Wagashi Experience
Memorial Tea Gathering To Honor Sen Rikyu
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
$40.00 for Garden members | $45.00 for non-members
Anderson Japanese Gardens will host a special tea gathering to honor the life of Sen Rikyu (1522-1591), the founder of the Sen family and one of the most influential and innovative tea masters in the history of Chado, the Japanese Way of Tea. The present Grand Tea Master of the Urasenke Tradition of Tea is Sen Soshitsu, the 16th-generation descendant of Sen Rikyu. Attendees of this event will not only experience the special tea ceremony, but also learn how to make Rikyu-manjyu, the Japanese sweet names after Rikyu, and a few other sweets.
Kimiko Gunji, Professor Emeritus of the University of Illinois, presents a formal tea ceremony and offers a bowl of tea in memory of Sen Rikyu. Before her tea presentation, she will demonstrate how to make a few different wagashi (Japanese Sweets).
In-person participation is limited to 25 guests per session. This will be held within the Anderson Gardens Guest House.
Professor Gunji has been a regular presenter and lecturer for the Anderson Japanese Garden since 2012. She has given season-by-season tea ceremony demonstrations, and various Japanese art-related workshops such as wagashi (Japanese sweet) making, kimono dressing, and Japanese cooking. She was a special presenter for the Regional North American Japanese Garden Association seminar, Kokoro and the Gardener: Health for Spirit, Body, and Community hosted by the Anderson Japanese Garden from August 4th through August 8th, 2022.