A Thousand Years of Whisked Tea: From Diancha to Chanoyu

Step into a living tea history at 7s Art’s special gathering: A Thousand Years of Whisked Tea – From Diancha to Chanoyu, hosted by Yoshitsugu Nagano.

In this cross-cultural tea experience, you’ll trace the roots of matcha back nearly a thousand years to the imperial courts of China’s Northern Song Dynasty, where powdered tea was first steamed, whisked, and served in tenmoku bowls—a ritual known as Diancha (點茶).

You’ll then witness its transformation as it traveled to Japan with Zen monks, eventually evolving into Chanoyu (茶の湯)—the Way of Tea—characterized by wabi-sabi aesthetics and simplicity, deeply cherished by samurai and artists alike.

In this 90-minute sensory journey, you’ll taste two bowls of matcha—one in the formal Chinese style and one in the humble Japanese tradition—and feel how the change in vessel, gesture, and energy reflects centuries of artistic and spiritual transformation.

With each sip, this tea gathering invites you to engage sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste—and feel the quiet legacy of tea passed through time.

This intimate event will be held around the tatami space with zabuton floor cushions for an immersive and contemplative setting. No prior experience with tea is required—just come with curiosity and presence.

Instructor: Yoshitsugu Nagano (Instagram: @yoshitsugu_nagano)

Schedule:

Session 1, May 11 (SUN), 2025, 11:30am - 1:00pm

Session 2, May 11 (SUN), 2025, 3:00pm - 4:30pm

*Both sessions are identical. Choose the time that works best for you.

Capacity: 10 participants/session

Location: 36 East Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10002 (next to D C Meat Market 德昌肉食公司)

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