Jubilee

📝 Please find the practical information for participants here.

Tankokai Belgium prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary

The Tankokai Belgium is delighted to announce the official celebration of its 50th Anniversary Jubilee Year in 2026, a landmark event honoring half a century of Japanese tea culture in Belgium. Founded in 1976, the association will host a series of events from October 8 to October 13, 2026, bringing together practitioners, enthusiasts, and cultural partners from across Europe.

On the occasion of this important moment in our organisation's history, Urasenke Japan has arranged for a Gyotei sensei to attend the Jubilee festivities in October 2026. Gyotei sensei are assistants to Zabosai Oiemoto, who leads the Urasenke school. Urasenke Belgium is deeply grateful for this honor.

A week of celebration

The Jubilee schedule consists of a week of celebratory events.

• October 8: Japanese Garden in Hasselt. The Gyotei sensei will visit the Japanese Garden in Hasselt. This event honors over 20 years of tea demonstrations at this site.
• October 9: Celebratory tea gathering and reception at the Japanese Embassy. In alignment with the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium, Tankokai Belgium will host a celebratory tea gathering followed by a reception at the Japanese Embassy.
• October 10-11: Chado study at the Royal Museum of Mariemont. Tankokai Belgium will host a two-day Kenkyukai, an intensive study seminar offering participants the rare opportunity to observe and learn Chado under the guidance of a Gyotei sensei.
• October 12: Masterclass for teachers. The week concludes with a masterclass for Belgian sensei.

These celebrations are by invitation only. We will update this page regularly with the latest information.

Event partners