Presentation: Way of Tea

In partnership with Omotesenke
Sunday, 4/19/2026
1:00 - 3:30
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room A
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room B
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400
Register

Learn how ceremonial Japanese tea is served. Space limited. Registration is required.  Registration link will become available on Wed, 2/11/2026, 8 am, PST.

The program begins with a screening of a short video created by Omotesenke, titled Chanoyu: A Visual Poem, Weaving the Four Seasons. 

According to Japanese Tea Culture: The Omotesenke Tradition, Chanoyu "is filled with assorted rules on the handling of tea utensils, proper etiquette, and the repetition of set movements, which lends it a weighty air of formality. Formality is not, however, the most essential quality of chanoyu. The phrase "tea ceremony," which has often been used as a translation for chanoyu, is thus somewhat misleading....The rules of chanoyu must be understood not as mere formalities but as a kind of training that is focused upon in order to reach a specific goal."

Tea Ceremony, known in Japanese as cha no yu (literally, "hot water for tea") and chadō, or sadō ("the way of tea"), the formal service of tea to guests as a performing art. The study of the tea ceremony involves such arts as ceramics, calligraphy, poetry, and architecture, as well as historical, philosophical, and religious dimensions."

"Tea Ceremony." In Encyclopedia of Asian History. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988. Gale In Context: World History (accessed December 3, 2025). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/BT2358201817/WHIC?u=sfpl_main&sid=bookmark-WHIC&xid=0dee928c.

NR, 29 mins, 2007.  

Connect:

Omotesenke - Website

History

Learn more about local history.

Japanese Interest

Connect to engaging discussions and performances related to the Japanese community and culture.

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

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The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.