Inside a Real Japanese Tea Ceremony: November Chaji ‪@teaharmonybysoryu‬

In November, the tea world welcomes the season of Robiraki, the opening of the winter hearth. This video shares a glimpse into my formal Omotesenke-style chaji, named “Ho-rai Chaji”—inspired by the Analects phrase “When friends come from afar.”

I invited tea friends who traveled a long distance, and together we enjoyed a complete four-hour chaji, including charcoal preparation, kaiseki, and both thick and thin tea. In this video, I reflect on the process, the challenges of hosting alone, and the importance of experiencing chaji firsthand. A chaji is the culmination of daily practice, and each one becomes a valuable lesson toward deepening one’s understanding of the Way of Tea.