Tea Ceremony Demonstration and Hands-on Tea Experience were held at Nova Vita Festival 2026
On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the Omotesenke Domonkai Southern California Region participated in Nova Vita Festival 2026, held at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. Organized by the nonprofit organization Nova Vita, whose activities are led primarily by high school student volunteers, the festival provided an excellent opportunity to introduce Japanese culture to younger generations and members of the local community.
Representing the Omotesenke Domonkai Southern California Region were two board members and three domonkai member volunteers. Throughout the day, the festival featured a variety of performances and cultural activities celebrating Japanese heritage. Our booth, located near the festival yagura (festival tower), offered a Ryūrei tea ceremony demonstration, a hands-on tea ceremony experience, and matcha with traditional Japanese sweets. We welcomed every visitor with heartfelt hospitality, embodying the spirit of omotenashi.
Many of the festival guests were families, and visitors watched the Ryūrei demonstration with great interest, enthusiastically taking photographs and videos. One of the questions we received was, “Why do you prepare the bamboo whisk (chasen-tōshi) before making tea?” This thoughtful inquiry reminded us of the importance of returning to the fundamentals of tea practice and reflecting on the meaning behind each procedure.
During the demonstration, our MC explained the Zen phrase displayed on the tanzaku, “Mountains are mountains, water is water” (山是山 水是水), as well as the meaning of “Kissako” (喫茶去)—”Please, have a cup of tea.” These explanations allowed us to share not only the procedures of the tea ceremony but also the philosophy and spirit of the Way of Tea.
Many children participated in the hands-on tea ceremony experience. Before whisking their own bowls of matcha, participants were introduced to the traditional sequence of warming the tea bowl with hot water drawn from the kettle using a hishaku (bamboo ladle), purifying the bowl with the chakin (linen cloth), and preparing the utensils with care. They then whisked their own matcha and enjoyed the experience, with many smiling and commenting, “It’s delicious!” and “That was so much fun!”
Outside the scheduled workshop sessions, the tea ceremony area also became a welcoming place where visitors could pause, relax, and experience a moment of tranquility amid the lively festival atmosphere.
Through sharing a single bowl of tea, we were honored to embody the spirit of Ichigo Ichie—”one time, one meeting”—and to create meaningful cultural exchanges that we hope will remain in the hearts of all who participated.
The Omotesenke Domonkai Southern California Region looks forward to continuing its outreach activities through partnerships with local communities and educational institutions, sharing the traditions, values, and spirit of the Omotesenke Way of Tea with an ever-wider audience.
Omotesenke Domonkai Southern California Region
