The Art of Japanese Tea Ceremony:

A Practice of Beauty, Presence, and Zen

Instructor: Kiyomi Koike

Ages: Adults (ages 16+)
Minimum: 4 participants
Maximum: 12 participants

Materials

All tea utensils, tea, traditional sweets, music, and other materials needed for the demonstration and class will be provided by Kiyomi and are included in the class fee.

About the Class

Discover the Japanese tea ceremony as a living art form where culture, aesthetics, and Zen philosophy come together.

For centuries, Chanoyu (the Way of Tea) has been regarded as much more than the preparation of matcha. It is an artistic practice that brings together architecture, ceramics, calligraphy, flower arrangement, seasonal awareness, and hospitality. Each movement, object, and gesture carries meaning, creating a moment of harmony, attention, and appreciation.

Influenced by Zen Buddhism, the tea ceremony offers a unique way of cultivating presence. Through deliberate movements, mindful attention, and simple sensory experiences: the sound of water, the texture of a tea bowl, and the aroma and taste of matcha.  The practice invites us to step away from everyday distractions and become more fully present. In this way, tea ceremony can be experienced as a meditation in motion.

In This Class, Participants Will Explore

• The history and cultural evolution of the Japanese tea ceremony

• The relationship between Zen philosophy and the art of tea

• The aesthetics of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in simplicity, imperfection, and impermanence

• The symbolism of tea utensils, seasonal elements, and ceremonial gestures

• How the structure of tea practice creates an experience of presence and connection

Participants will experience a tea ceremony demonstration, enjoy authentic Japanese matcha and traditional sweets, and learn the basic framework of a tea meditation practice that can be carried into everyday life.

You will leave with a deeper appreciation of Japanese art and culture, along with a simple structure for creating moments of presence, awareness, and beauty in your daily life.

About the Instructor

Kiyomi Koike is an ITMA Certified Tea Master and Japanese cultural educator dedicated to sharing the artistry, philosophy, traditions, and mindful practices of Japanese tea.

Born and raised in Japan, Kiyomi’s relationship with tea ceremony began at age 11 when she joined her elementary school tea ceremony club. This early experience introduced her to the beauty of Japanese aesthetics, hospitality, and the mindful attention cultivated through the Way of Tea.

For more than two decades, Kiyomi has shared Japanese tea culture with American audiences. She founded Sei Mee Tea, introducing authentic Japanese green tea to the United States, and today continues her work with Yu Tea Co., serving as a bridge between Japanese and American teams and supporting tea sourcing, communication, and international importing logistics.

Through her lifelong connection with tea, along with her study of Zen philosophy and the human mind through her work as a certified coach, Kiyomi has developed a unique perspective on tea ceremony as both a cultural art form and a practice of presence. She explores how the deliberate structure of tea, the movements, objects, and attention given to each moment, creates a meditative experience that can influence our state of mind.

Kiyomi is also the creator of the Kominka Method™, inspired by Japanese principles of simplicity, awareness, and harmony. At her authentic Japanese Kominka in Enterprise, Oregon, she shares experiences that connect architecture, tea, and the art of intentional living.

Through her classes, Kiyomi invites participants to experience Japanese culture beyond knowledge alone, to discover how a simple bowl of matcha can become a gateway to beauty, connection, and presence.