Chanoyu: Tea Culture of Japan Demonstration

Chanoyu: Tea Culture of Japan Demonstration comes to the Seattle Art Museum on Saturday, October 10, at 3 PM. The demonstration takes place in the museum's handcrafted teahouse and centers on chanoyu, the Japanese art of tea.

Certified instructors perform a centuries-old ritual that distills hospitality, philosophy, and beauty into a single meditative hour. The ceremony is a slow, deliberate process, and the teahouse itself is built specifically for this kind of practice. It's a chance to watch the ritual from start to finish, rather than just catching a glimpse of it in passing.

One thing to keep in mind: while tea is prepared during the ceremony, it isn't served to the audience. You're there to watch the process, not to drink. Seating is first come, first served, so if you're set on a good spot, it's worth arriving a bit early. All ages are welcome, so it works as a quiet afternoon activity for kids too.

The demonstration is free and included with museum admission. It runs at 3 PM on Saturday, October 10, at the Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.