松風荘秋の茶会

10月3日、松風荘にて、フィラデルフィア特別地区とNY/MET地区合同の茶会を開催いたしました。

秋の清々しい一日、市民席では多くのお客様にお越しいただき、一碗のお茶を通して、表千家の茶の湯に触れていただくひとときとなりました。活発な質疑応答が行われ、皆様に茶の湯への関心を深めていただく機会となりました。

また当日は、パトリック・デイリー様（フィラデルフィア日本国名誉領事、フィラデルフィア日米協会理事）、浜田昌子様（ヴィラノーバ大学名誉教授、フィラデルフィア日米協会アドバイザリーボード・メンバー）にもお越しいただきました。

今回の薄茶席は、NY/MET地区の原社中の皆様にご担当いただきました。

原先生が5月にご逝去されてから初めての松風荘での茶会となりましたが、先生のお社中の皆様が心を合わせて準備にあたり、また、他の社中の皆様にもお手伝いにお越しいただきました。皆様のお力添えにより、原先生から受け継がれてきたお茶の心を大切にしながら、席を務めていただくことができました。

枡床席の濃茶席はハイネケン社中が担当し、炉の設えでの濃茶席となりました。原先生との思い出のあるお道具に囲まれた茶室で、濃茶を通して、茶の湯の趣を感じていただく機会となりました。

On October 3, the Philadelphia Special District and the NY/MET District of Omotesenke Domonkai Eastern Region USA co-hosted a tea gathering at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center.

On a beautiful autumn day, we welcomed many guests to the public tea gathering. Over a bowl of tea, we were delighted to share the spirit and traditions of Omotesenke. The event served as a wonderful opportunity for guests to deepen their appreciation of chado through lively conversations and thoughtful questions.

We were also honored to welcome distinguished guests, including Patrick Dailey, Honorary Consul of Japan in Philadelphia and JASGP Board Member, and Masako Hamada, Professor Emerita at Villanova University and JASGP Advisory Board Member.

The usucha (thin tea) seat was hosted by the Hara Shachu of the NY/MET District. As this was the first tea gathering at Shofuso since the passing of Yasuko Hara-sensei in May, her students united to prepare for the event wholeheartedly, supported by members of other shachu who traveled to assist them. Guided by this generous support and cooperation, the Hara Shachu successfully hosted the gathering while honoring and carrying forward the spirit of tea that Hara-sensei so cherished and passed down to them.

The koicha (thick tea) seat, held in the Masudoko tea room, was hosted by the Heineken Shachu and featured the sunken hearth (ro) in use. Surrounded by tea utensils associated with cherished memories of Hara-sensei, guests experienced the depth and beauty of the tea ceremony through koicha.

We are truly grateful for the opportunity to introduce and share Japanese tea culture with members of the local community in such a beautiful and historic setting as Shofuso. We look forward to continuing to promote the spirit and beauty of Omotesenke chado to a wider audience.