Thanks to a grant from the Japan Foundation, Urasenke Sydney was able to demonstrate chado to the public and run workshops for school students in Cowra during the shire’s Koyo Matsuri festival on 3rd and 4th May.
COWRA KOYO MATSURI FESTIVAL
Hatsugama 初釜
Hatsugama is a traditional Japanese event held to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. The term “Hatsugama” translates to “first kettle” in English, referring to the first tea ceremony of the year.
The Hatsugama ceremony is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and tradition, and it holds significant importance in the practice of tea ceremonies, which are known as “chanoyu” or “sado.” The ceremony involves the preparation and serving of matcha, a powdered green tea, in an intricate and highly ritualized manner.
