The Practice of Tea

By guest contributor Tamara Buchwald

On a warm, lively evening in March, the Japanese Ambassador’s residence played host to a special event, marking the 15th anniversary of the Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region. The occasion, steeped in tradition and culture, was a wonderful celebration of the continued growth and significance of the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony in the region.

The gathering was attended by a distinguished group of tea practitioners, diplomats including Oksana Markarova, the Ambassador from Ukraine, and cultural enthusiasts, all coming together to reflect on the journey of the Domonkai and to celebrate its invaluable contributions to the appreciation and practice of Japanese tea culture. The 15th-anniversary celebration was a reflection of this enduring commitment to the preservation and promotion of Japanese cultural heritage. The event, designed with the utmost care and attention to detail, was a blend of elegant ceremony and joyful camaraderie.

The Omotesenke school, founded in the 16th century, is one of the most renowned schools of the Japanese tea ceremony. Its roots trace back to the tea master Sen no Rikyū, who is considered the father of the Japanese tea ceremony. As part of the Sen family, the Omotesenke school emphasizes the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility — values that are expressed through the meditative practice of tea-making. The Omotesenke Domonkai, a promote these cultural traditions in various parts of the world. The Eastern Region, which encompasses the eastern United States, has been a significant hub for spreading the beauty and philosophy of the Omotesenke school over the past 15 years.

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