Jubilee

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