Yoshitsugu Nagano

A decade ago in Hiroshima, Nagano began immersing himself in Ueda Soko-ryu, a samurai school of chanoyu — the tea ritual rendered in English as the Japanese tea ceremony — practiced in Japan for over 400 years. While his university studies focused on Western art, philosophy, and aesthetics, Nagano realized he lacked knowledge about his own country’s rich and ancient culture — and it was tea ceremony that filled that void.

He began studying the ancient ceremony and was immediately captivated by the world of tea. In a tranquil space adorned with Zen teachings and a single flower arrangement, he was moved by the sound of boiling water, the faint light through a small window, and the steam rising from the kettle. He came to understand that tea ceremony was not just about drinking delicious tea, but about celebrating nature and the often-overlooked beauty of everyday life.

In 2018, he became the youngest person to obtain the highest rank in Ueda Soko-ryu and was awarded the title of Professor. This prompted his decision to become an independent tea practitioner and share the Way of Tea with the world — in 2019, he moved to New York alone with this goal in mind.

Since arriving in the US, he has conducted more than 150 tea ceremonies and given over 400 lectures. He continued his activities throughout the pandemic as one of the only tea practitioners in New York to do so, and as people tired of isolation began to seek out the Way of Tea, his circle of students slowly grew.

In 2022, he began organizing and serving as representative for Chanoyu Week NYC, a week-long event introducing the Way of Tea to the people of New York. He believes the spirit of “coexistence” — the central concept of tea ceremony, which brings people together through the simple act of sharing a cup of tea — can help bring New York’s diverse communities together. Chanoyu Week NYC is held annually every November.