Tatezomeshiki (New Year’s Tea), January 2026

Chado Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association Tatezomeshiki Tea Ceremony

The Chado Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association held its annual Tatezomeshiki New Year’s Tea Ceremony on January 25, 2026, at the Kanso-an Tea Room of Hokka Nichi Bei Kai (Japanese American Association of Northern California) located in San Francisco’s Japantown. This tea ceremony gathering was to celebrate the New Year.

This tea ceremony was hosted by URAMOTO Shachu and Pusic Shachu. Eighty-five members and guests — including Consul General OTSUKI Kotaro of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, Consul HAGIWARA Mayu, Vice President Allen Okamoto and his wife, Advertising Manager MORIKAWA Kota of Nichibei Foundation/Nichibei News, Soei Bartlett, Director of the Urasenke Foundation San Francisco, and Counselor KOBARA Soko — attended this special gathering to celebrate the New Year.

Following greetings from the hosting shachus, attendees were served koicha (thick tea) then usucha (thin tea) during the same seating, a practice known as tsuzuki usucha.

• Jun Cyndi Chen served as teishu (host), URAMOTO Sokyu served as hanto (assistant), and HAGIWARA Sojin was the first guest during the first seating which began at 9:30 a.m.
• Soko Liu Hase served as teishu, Soyo Pusic served as hanto, and Sokyo Tiscornia was the first guest during the second seating at 10:30.
• HOSHINO Michiyo served teishu, Soyo Pusic served as hanto, and Soei Bartlett was the first guest of the third seating at 11:45.

After the tea was served, all guests, tea teachers, and students had a luncheon in Kabuki Hotel also located in San Francisco’s Japantown. The day was unseasonably warm and sunny, and all enjoyed each other’s company in the celebratory spirit of the New Year. 

After congratulatory speeches from the guests of honor, Consul General OTSUKI presented the association with a certificate of commendation recognizing its contributions to mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and California. HAGIWARA Sojin gave a speech expressing her gratitude for the successful completion of the tea ceremony, and the luncheon concluded in a convivial atmosphere.

The event was emceed by Tisconia Sokyo.