The East-West Chanoyu Center (EWCC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in Seattle to share the art and culture of Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. Through this living tradition, EWCC promotes understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture as embodied in the practice of Chanoyu and its four principles of harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei), and tranquility (jaku).⁠

EWCC carries out its work through classes, seasonal tea events, workshops, public tearoom access, and community partnerships. The organization is the successor to the former Urasenke Foundation Seattle Branch, which reorganized as EWCC under founding director Bonnie Sōshin Mitchell. It focuses on education and public access to the Japanese tea ceremony tradition in the Pacific Northwest.⁠

In 2022, EWCC leased a suite in the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW), home to the historic Seattle Japanese Language School. The JCCCW has served as a central hub for Japanese culture and heritage since the early 20th century, and EWCC is honored to share the tradition of Chanoyu with the JCCCW community and the wider public. Construction of the new tearooms began in September 2022.⁠

EWCC installed an 8-tatami mat room, a 4.5-tatami mat room, a galley kitchen, a foyer, and an attic, and in July 2023 resumed its tea classes and activities. The Zuishin’an tearooms stand as the first public tearooms in the Pacific Northwest to offer year-round access to interactive tea ceremonies, workshops, and classes for both one-time visitors and dedicated practitioners.⁠

Throughout the year, EWCC hosts a variety of programs for the public and members:

  • Public Tearoom Tours: Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30-2:15 PM

  • Chanoyu Classes: Introductory through Advanced, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

  • Four Seasons Tea Ceremonies: January, May, November

  • Chanoyu Shichijikishi (Ensemble Tea Classes): Third Sunday of the month, 2:00 PM

  • Chaji (Student-Led Tea Gatherings): Spring, summer, and fall

  • Interactive Tea Gatherings for Private Parties: Friday or Saturday evenings, from 5:30 PM by reservation

  • Matcha Workshops: Second Saturday of the month, 2:00 PM

  • Kimono Kitsuke Workshops: for members only, by appointment

  • Chabana Workshop “Flowers for the Tearoom”: October, 2026

  • Seattle Art Museum monthly demonstrations: 3:00PM, 2nd Saturday, February-November (except August)

How You Can Help

“The heart that gives, gathers.” – Tao Te Ching

The East-West Chanoyu Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all contributions qualify as charitable deductions. EWCC’s EIN is 91-1303408. Donations can be made via Zelle to 206.328.6018 or by check to EWCC c/o JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller Street, Seattle, WA 98144.

We acknowledge the generous support of King County 4Culture in ‘Building for Equity’ funding for the tearoom construction, as well as ‘Arts Sustained’ support for programs throughout the year.