Discover the Art of Japanese Tea Practice in New Smithsonian Exhibition

The National Museum of Asian Art invites visitors to explore the rich cultural traditions surrounding Japanese tea ceremony in its newest exhibition, "Reasons to Gather: Japanese Tea Practice Unwrapped," opening April 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

This thoughtfully curated exhibition presents 11 historic tea utensils and accessories that showcase the sophisticated aesthetic and cultural significance of chanoyu, the Japanese practice of preparing and drinking powdered green tea (matcha). You will discover ceramic tea caddies, tea bowls, hanging scrolls of calligraphy, and the often-overlooked boxes, documents, and textiles that accompany these treasured objects.

National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Gregory Kinsey, Kinsey Chanoyu Collection, in honor of Louise Cort and in appreciation of her years of scholarship in support of Chanoyu education in the U.S., F2021.3.5.1a-gg-3a-e

Beyond Beautiful Objects: Cultural Connections Across Asia

What makes this exhibition particularly fascinating is how it reveals the cross-cultural nature of Japanese tea practice. The featured artifacts originated from China, Korea, and South Asia before finding their way into Japanese tea rooms, telling a compelling story of trade and cultural exchange throughout Asia.

"Tea bowls, tea caddies, and hanging scrolls of calligraphy usually take center stage at tea gatherings and museum exhibitions alike, but the accompanying boxes, pouches, and wrappers are rich with meaningful historical details about the development of chanoyu," explains Sol Jung, Shirley Z. Johnson Assistant Curator of Japanese Art.

These objects accumulated significance over generations through their continued use and display at tea gatherings, with practitioners cherishing not just the utensils themselves but also their accompanying materials that document layers of historical and cultural meaning.

The Kinsey Chanoyu Collection: Preserving a Living Tradition

The exhibition features treasures from the Kinsey Chanoyu Collection, part of a generous gift of nearly 200 objects from Gregory Kinsey, whose donation stems from a lifelong devotion to the practice of chanoyu. In a thoughtful effort to share this cultural tradition, Kinsey dedicated most works to the Freer Study Collection for use in public programs demonstrating the traditional preparation of matcha.

Due to their exceptional historical and artistic significance, 16 pieces with accompanying provenance documentation entered the Freer Gallery of Art Collection specifically for exhibition and research purposes, including those on display in "Reasons to Gather."

Part of Broader Celebration of Japanese Culture

This exhibition is presented as part of "Japan in Focus," a multi-year initiative at the National Museum of Asian Art celebrating Japanese art and culture through a series of exhibitions and programs running through 2026.

The National Museum of Asian Art, home to more than 46,000 objects, stewards one of North America's largest and most comprehensive collections of Asian art. Its galleries, laboratories, archives, and library are located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., making its exhibitions, programs, and digital initiatives accessible to global audiences.

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Reasons to Gather: Japanese Tea Practice Unwrapped

Dates: April 12, 2025 – April 26, 2026

Location: National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C.

Admission: Free

Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed December 25)

Website: https://asia.si.edu