Jayne Willingham, Communications Chair, 512-350-8505

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Peace, Beauty, and a Simple Cup of Tea

 Japan-America Society invites Austin to observe the "Way of Tea"

 Ritual at this month's Japonica Salon

 AUSTIN – (30 April 2007) –

 The Japan America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) offers the

 Austin community a rare chance to observe the formal beauty of

 Japanese tea ritual on Tuesday May 15th, 2007, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm

 at the Yarborough Library (2200 Hancock Road, off Burnet Road).

 The presentation is free and open to the public. As part of its

 monthly "Japonica Salon," a series of free presentations held the

 third Tuesday of each month, JASGA presents Dr. Sheila Fling (tea

 name "Soshin"), a licensed teacher in the Urasenke tradition.

 The Japanese tea ceremony is more appropriately called

 "chado" ("Way of Tea") because it can foster a harmonious way of

 life. The 400-year-old tradition says its purpose is "to realize

 tranquility in communion with others within the environment." One

 practices preparing and receiving a bowl of tea in a meditative,

 harmonious way with deep appreciation of other persons, arts &

 crafts, and nature, an aspect of Japanese culture that the western

 world has long admired. Because this presentation in the Japonica

 Salon series involves tea, our usual genmaicha and sweet mochi will

 only be served following during the question and answer session

 following Dr. Fling's presentation.

 The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin Inc. is a 501 (c) 3,

 non-profit organization established to bridge the cultures of Japan

 and Central Texas through educational and cultural programs for its

 members and the Greater Austin community. JASGA offices are at 201

 E. 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701. For more information, call 350-8505