Commemorative Senchakai

In Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence

KoogeikeSenchanozu,
By Toshikata Mizuno
Collection of the Tokyo Metropolitan Library

On June 27, 2026, Eri's Senchado School held a special Commemorative Senchakai in Tiverton, Rhode Island, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Tea room setup for a commemorative Senchakai at Eri's Senchado School in Tiverton, Rhode Island 
The gathering explored the world of tea in the eighteenth century, along with Edo-period literature, art, and Sencha culture.
The program included a cultural presentation, a demonstration of Senchado, and an opportunity for guests to experience Gyokuro as part of a traditional Senchakai.

1776 — Two Worlds, One Moment

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted in America, while in Japan,
Ueda Akinari's Ugetsu Monogatari was published.

Beginning with these two landmarks of 1776, the presentation explored the world of tea at that time, along with Edo-period literature, art, and Sencha culture. While America was asserting its independence, Japan was in a period when literature and the arts were flourishing.

Presentation slide comparing the American Declaration of Independence and Edo-period Japanese publishing in 1776

Sencha Culture in American Museum Collections

As part of the cultural presentation, guests were also introduced to historical Sencha utensils and related works of Japanese art that can be seen in the collections of the RISD Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
These collections include Sencha teaware, tea utensils, works associated with Baisao, and Edo-period Japanese art connected to the world in which Sencha culture flourished.

RISD Museum
Utagawa Hiroshige,
Harimaze-e with Sencha Utensils,
Fox, and Mt. Fuji, Edo period

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
 Aoki Mokubei,
“Sencha” Tea Set,
Edo period, 19th century

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Calligraphy by Baisao, Edo period, 1760

Commemorative Senchakai 2026
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Tiverton, Rhode Island

Next Commemorative Senchakai — Spring 2027

In spring 2027, Eri's Senchado School plans to hold a special Senchakai commemorating the 110th anniversary of Ogasawara-ryu Senchado.

Further details will be announced on our website, Instagram, and Facebook.

We look forward to welcoming you to our next Commemorative Senchakai.