Lectures & Cultural Talks

Insightful and accessible presentations on Japanese tea culture — including Senchado, history, aesthetics, and seasonal traditions — designed for libraries, schools, universities, and cultural organizations.

Introduction

I offer accessible, well-structured lectures on Japanese culture, history, aesthetics, and tea traditions—grounded in my training as a certified Nihoncha Advisor and as a licensed instructor of Ogasawara-ryu Senchado.

These programs provide clear cultural context and are tailored for libraries, schools, universities, cultural institutions, and community organizations.

Lecture Topics

  • History of Nihoncha and the development of Senchado

  • Japanese tea varieties and how to brew Nihoncha

  • Rituals in Japan and their connection to Senchado

Senchado & Japanese Tea Culture

  • The 24 seasonal terms and the 72 micro-seasons

  • Cultural meaning of annual events

  • How seasonal rhythms shaped daily life in Japan

Seasonal Knowledge & Nature

  • Major historical periods and cultural continuity

  • Kimono: form, function, and symbolism

  • Traditional performing arts (Noh, Kyōgen, Bunraku, Kabuki)

Japanese History, Society & Aesthetics

  • Birth and childhood rituals, including traditional ceremonies such as Omiyamairi and Shichi-go-san

  • Coming-of-age and educational milestones, and the cultural background of formal school ceremonies

  • Wedding customs and the evolution of ceremonial aesthetics in Japan

  • Ancestral remembrance and memorial rites, including seasonal practices and perspectives on life and death

  • The social meaning of etiquette, ceremonial formality, and their role in shaping Japanese cultural values

Life-cycle Rituals & Ceremonial Culture

Program Formats

  • Lecture Only (30–60 min)

  • Lecture + Home-Style Nihoncha Brewing Demonstration (70–90 min)

  • Hybrid Program (90–120 min)

  • Multi-session series (2–3 lectures)
    Multi-session lectures work especially well for schools and libraries seeking deeper cultural understanding.

Past Programs / Examples

Past programs have included both single-session lectures and multi-session series offered over several days.

Many institutions have requested a combined format—such as a two-part cultural lecture followed by a Senchado demonstration—allowing audiences to build understanding before experiencing the practice firsthand.

These flexible program structures are especially well received by libraries, schools, and cultural organizations seeking deeper engagement with Japanese culture.

Example Pricing

Lecture programs are offered starting at $350, with final fees varying according to program length, preparation requirements, and audience size.

Personalized estimates are available upon request.

Lecture Inquiry

For Schools, Libraries, and Public Institutions

Special considerations are available for educational and public organizations. Programs can be tailored to fit your schedule, purpose, and budget.

Please feel welcome to contact me to discuss a plan that best supports your community's goals.

Institutional Program Inquiry