The Japanese words "CHANOYU" and "CHAKAISEKI" translate to "Japanese Tea Ceremony" and "Tea Ceremony Kaiseki". Hosted by KINKA, this traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony took place inside Globus Washitu, a traditional Japanese tea house located inside a New York City penthouse. This event was used as means to introduce a new project titled In-Situ to prospective clients: a site-specific traveling art instillation centered around the tea ceremony.
I had the opportunity to design the invitation, as well as the menu, for this event. The art of Chanoyu brings together elements of art, landscape and etiquette all into one harmonious blend. I used this philosophy in my approach to the design: the result is a composition steeped in tradition and delicately infused with contemporary hues, resonating the ever-relevant beauty of this age-old ceremony.
Photos by: EunYoung Sebazco
Photos by: EunYoung Sebazco
Photos by: EunYoung Sebazco
MENU
The final menu was printed on handmade Japanese paper with real bamboo inclusions, a subtle nod to the tatami mats that the guests would be sitting on during the ceremony. The experience of touching this texture, soft paper asks the guests to open up all their senses (touch, taste, smell, hearing), taking a break from the fast-paced world outside and instead focusing on the now. Using delicate kanji characters alongside their English translations, this menu was my way of celebrating this beautiful Japanese culinary art form.
