Famous fifth generation stone carver and artist, Takaaki Saida, is joining us all the way from Kyoto, Japan. The art of stone grinding tea was first brought over to Japan in the 12th century. Green tea leaves were ground into a fine powder, added to a bowl with hot water and whisked into a frothy cup of matcha.
This workshop is your chance to learn in depth about all forms of Japanese stone craftsmanship while touring the Gardens. This tour will include introductions on the hand chiseled stone lanterns often seen in Japanese Gardens as well as hand shaped stone mills used for matcha making.

Master Saida will demonstrate and introduce his hand hewn stone tea mill. Participants will have a chance to try using the stone mill on their own and grinding green tea leaves into extremely fine matcha powder.

Guests will use the resulting fresh matcha to drink a cup of tea as well as eat a traditional Japanese sweet while enjoying the Zen garden views.

Workshop Schedule:
- Introduction from Master Saida on the ancient art of stone carving in Japan.
- Strolling with a tour to discover and learn about stone lanterns in our Garden and in Japan.
- Experience Matcha (green tea) ground by Master Saida’s stone mill with a fresh cup of hand milled matcha and Japanese tea sweets.
- Q&A session with Master Saida

Advanced ticket reservation is required. This is a limited admission event.

General Admission $30 includes lecture, tour, milling lesson, Tea hand ground by Master Saida's Japanese Stone Mill, tea sweet and Gardens Admission for the day.

About Mr. Takaaki Saida - The 5th Generation Stone Carver from Kyoto
Master Saida is the fifth-generation stone carver at Saida Stone Shop which has been engaged in stone processing and sculpture in Kameoka, Kyoto since its establishment in 1902. He uses a variety of traditional techniques unique to Kyoto that give his work a weathered feel. His stone art has been exhibited and demonstrated with stone lanterns in the U.S. and Italy where they were well received. He is actively expanding across cultures and borders to share the tradition and art of Japanese stone craftsmen.