A traditional Japanese tokonoma alcove with a hanging scroll, a red woven vase, and a small flower arrangement. The room has tatami mat flooring and a gold folding screen in the background.
Group of people sitting in a traditional Japanese tatami room, participating in a cultural activity, with a person kneeling at the front and a Japanese calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall.
A traditional Japanese room with tatami mats, wooden ceiling, and a decorative hanging scroll with Japanese calligraphy, illuminated softly.
Group of people dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos sitting in seiza position during a gathering or tea ceremony inside a Japanese-style room.
A group of people sitting on tatami mats in a traditional Japanese room, participating in a tea ceremony, wearing kimonos and traditional attire, with a scroll and decorative items on the wall.

２０２５年（令和７年）炉開き　

Robiraki – Opening of the Tea Hearth

The Robiraki tea gathering welcomes not only Domonkai members but also guests from the general public. We were delighted to receive many visitors with whom we have formed connections through tea.

In the main tea room, five usucha (thin tea) sekis were held, while in the smaller tea room, four koicha (thick tea) sekis were prepared. At the last usucha seki, it has become a yearly tradition to welcome students and faculty from University of San Francisco who study Japanese, and they joined us as honored guests.

With gratitude for this once-in-a-lifetime encounter (ichigo ichie), we joyfully celebrated what is often called the “New Year of Tea” together.

This year, we also arranged flowers alongside the tea jar.

A woman dressed in traditional Japanese attire preparing tea in a tatami room with wooden beams, a wall sconce, and a hanging scroll with calligraphy, along with a vase holding flowers mounted on a wooden post.
People participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony inside a tatami room.