What is Senchadō 煎茶道? An Introduction to Japanese Loose-leaf Tea Ceremony
Image credit: Janice Chan
When people think of Japanese tea ceremony, they often picture the preparation of powdered tea (matcha 抹茶) in the traditional practice known as sadō (茶道) or chanoyu (茶の湯). There is however, another historically rich tradition in Japanese tea culture called Senchadō (煎茶道), the Way of Sencha, featuring the preparation of loose-leaf tea.
Originating during the Edo period, Senchadō was deeply influenced by Chinese tea practices from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Once a favourite among the literati, this art form saw a decline after the Meiji period and remains less known today—even in Japan.
We were delighted to have Janice Chan, a dedicated student of the Senchadō Oubaku-Baisa Ryū school, share her knowledge and experiences with the practice of Senchadō with us in the beautiful tearoom at SaBi Tea Arts.
Image credit: Xun Yu 六入處感官美學研習社 The Six Sensorial Lab
Janice began with a vivid visual lecture that took us on a journey through tea culture during the Edo period, highlighting the influences that shaped Senchadō. She shared her experiences participating in Senchadō ceremonies at Manpuku-ji Temple before performing a demonstration of this refined practice.
Image credits: Xun Yu 六入處感官美學研習社 The Six Sensorial Lab
The afternoon came to an end with time for questions that quickly morphed into wonderfully engaging conversation over casual tea and sweets. Thank you to Janice Chan for creating the opportunity to learn about the history and practice of Senchadō here in the lower mainland. It was a truly fascinating and enjoyable afternoon!
About the Educator:
Janice (Jan) Chan is the Global Japanese Tea Association (GJTA) representative for Western Canada and co-founder of Teakan. As a GJTA-certified Japanese Tea Master, Jan offers workshops and lectures that blend tradition with modern insights, sharing the history, practices, and unique experiences of Japanese tea culture. Her passion for Japanese tea has led her to immerse herself in its rich culture, practicing Chanoyu with the Urasenke School and studying Senchadō under the Oubaku-Baisa Ryū.
About Oubaku-Baisa Ryu 煎茶道 黄檗売茶流
Senchadō Oubaku-Baisa Ryū (煎茶道 黄檗売茶流) was founded by Tsūsen’an Tatsudō (1908-1958) and the style was developed from the tea ceremony at Ōbakusan Manpukuji Temple in Uji, Kyoto. Led by third-generation Tsūsen’an Takanori since 2019, the school aims to cultivate “an aesthetic sense” that evolves with time, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and finding beauty and pleasures in our everyday lives. Oubaku-Baisa Ryū has been a member of the All Japan Senchadō Federation since its inception and has continued to work to popularize and develop Senchadō to this day.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.