Event Date: August 10, 2019
表千家同門会米国東部支部（上野隆司支部長）の年次講習会のために表千家不審菴（京都）から来米した伊藤善夫宗匠と熊倉岐晃講師を迎えて、８月１０日（土）ナショナルプレスクラブで合計１３０名程が参加する市民茶会を開催した。
会場に畳と床の間などを持ち込み茶室を設えた空間で、大勢の参加者有志は畳の上にも座ってお茶を体験し、ここがアメリカであることを忘れてしまったとの声が聞かれた。日本の伝統文化の茶の湯は初めての多く参加者も経験者も、熊倉講師が一人一人に点てるお茶を味わうと共に、質疑応答で伊藤宗匠の簡潔ながら質問の本質に迫る含蓄のある応答と相俟ち、親しみ易くそして奥深い茶の湯のミニ体験をして帰途につかれた様子であった。
The Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region USA together with Yoshio Itoh Sōshō and Michiteru Kumakura Kōshi of the Omotesenke Fushin’an in Kyoto, who were in the U.S. for the 9th Annual Workshop of the Region, held a Public Tea at the National Press Club in Washington DC. Dr. Ryuji Ueno (President, Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region USA) welcomed approximately 130 attendees, many of who were experiencing traditional Japanese tea for the first time.
A tearoom with tatami and a tokonoma had been created in a space in the event room, and some of the attendees were able to experience drinking tea while kneeling on the tatami. One remarked that he had forgotten they were in the U.S. While Kumakura Kōshi whisked the tea for each attendee, Itoh Sōshō answered their questions with concise and knowledgeable answers that helped the participants have a more profound tea experience.
