Workshop

Chado referred to as the Japanese Tea Ceremony in English, is a spiritual and aesthetic discipline for refinement of the self. The word "Chado" means the way of tea. The host aims to serve the guest an unforgettably satisfying bowl of tea. Experience an authentic tea ceremony in Toronto. Delight in rich matcha and traditional tea sweets.

Matcha tea ceremony
Tatami Seating in Tearoom

Chado referred to as the Japanese Tea Ceremony in English, is a spiritual and aesthetic discipline for refinement of the self. The word "Chado" means the way of tea. The host aims to serve the guest an unforgettably satisfying bowl of tea. Delight in rich matcha and traditional tea sweets.

Matcha tea ceremony
Table Seating in Ryurei style

In this lesson, you will gain an understanding of Japanese tea - from its history and varieties to brewing. You will also have the opportunity to taste several representative types of tea firsthand.

Yumiko Hamada is a Tea Taster 1st Grade at ITO EN, Japan's leading tea company. With over 20 years in the tea world, she now works in North America, sharing the culture and joy of Japanese tea with people around the globe.

Japanese Tea Introduction

Immerse yourself in the world of Gyokuro, one of Japan’s finest green teas. Cultivated with care under shade for 20 days or more, Gyokuro offers a rich umami flavor and natural sweetness that sets it apart from other teas. During this workshop, you’ll learn the traditional techniques for brewing Gyokuro using a Shiboridashi (a special Japanese vessel) to unlock its full flavor. To complete the experience, you’ll enjoy a unique culinary tradition—eating the tea leaves with freshly cooked rice. Join us for an authentic and enriching Gyokuro tea experience!!

Discover the Art of Gyokuro

Join Jeff Cleary (owner of UNYtea) as he presents Benifuki, a Japanese white tea that’s made custom for UNYtea in micro batches. Japanese white tea can be rare but not necessarily new. Learn about his discoveries and experiences with this “niche” category of tea. Come sip and learn what’s so special about Japanese white tea. Drinking tea and a sample bag of leaves provided.

Exploring Japanese white tea

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art and repair technique that restores broken ceramics to practical, food-safe use. The Kintsugi process, which takes at least two months, uses no chemical materials. Instead, it relies on urushi, a natural sap used in Japan for over 10,000 years, to bond the fragments and adorn the surface with pure gold. This technique of applying gold is known as "maki-e." In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to create decorative patterns with pure gold on your personal items.

Participants will apply maki-e to their own tea tools, wooden or bamboo items, matcha bowls, wine glasses, or other personal items they choose to bring. If you do not have any items to bring, you can purchase items like a chashaku (teaspoon) or wooden spoon at the venue.

For detailed information about the workshop, including materials suitable for maki-e, design sizes, and more, please visit Kintsugica's website: https://introjapan.ca/nihonchamakie/

For any questions regarding the items or designs for maki-e, please feel free to contact us at introjapanca@gmail.com with the subject line "INQUIRY: MAKI-E."

*Please note that this workshop involves the use of urushi (lacquer). Uncured urushi contains urushiol, a substance that can cause allergic reactions and is the same irritant found in poison ivy, so we use disposable gloves during the workshop. Please make sure to read the precautions on the website before registering.

Ceramic repair and decoration with gold

Join this pottery workshop to make your own chawan (tea bowl). In this 2-hour workshop, Helen from Secret Teatime will teach participants how to make one chawan using pinching, coiling, and carving techniques. Through this process, you will learn about key parts of a chawan, their function, how they relate to the other matcha making utensils, the tea and the ritual. After completing your bowl, you can choose the glaze colour. The pieces will be transported back to the studio for the finishing process. The final piece will be ready for pick up in 4-8 weeks at the Scarborough studio or shipping is available with extra payment. *disclaimer: sometimes accidents will happen during the process of making, transporting, firing, etc. Please note that Helen will try her best with the utmost care to ensure all pieces survive, but she is human and if your creation does not survive, she will contact you to arrange for an alternative solution.

Pottery

Step into a world of creativity at our Momiji-pin workshop! You’ll have the opportunity to craft your own tri-colour maple leaf hair pin using the ancient art of Tsumami Zaiku, a technique passed down through generations for over 200 years.

We’ll provide all the necessary materials, so all you need to bring is your imagination. Brighten up your fall look with a handmade accessory that reflects your unique style!

Hair Accessories

Give new life to everyday jars and bottles! By simply adding a kimono-upcycled cover, an unused glass jar or empty skincare bottle can be transformed into a beautiful vase. This beginner-friendly workshop is open to everyone, including children. No sewing, needles, threads, or scissors are needed, so it’s a simple and enjoyable activity. Not only as a vase, these covers can also be used as stylish holders for stationery, brushes, or other small items.

Enjoy the warmth of traditional kimono fabric while creating something sustainable and unique for your home.

Kimono Inspired Vase Cover

“Chabana” refers to the flowers displayed in the alcove of a tea room. Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591) was a Japanese tea master and one of the most influential figures in the history of the Japanese tea ceremony, known as "chanoyu". He is celebrated for formalizing and refining the principles of the tea ceremony, with a strong emphasis on simplicity, naturalism, and the spiritual essence of the practice. One of Rikyū's famous teachings, "Flowers should be as they are in the field", reflects his belief in maintaining the natural beauty and simplicity of things, rather than altering them to fit human aesthetics. This philosophy significantly influenced the art of "Chabana", which contrasts with the more structured and formalized art of "Ikebana", emphasizing technical skills.
In this workshop, you will learn the philosophy of "Chabana" and the art of flower placement. You'll create your own "Chabana" and take it home with you.

Flower arrangement