The Urasenke study group in the Czech Republic was founded 7 years ago - the

latest of all the "post-communist" countries. However, the first contacts had been

made long ago: the previous Grand Master Sen Soshitsu XV, apart from other

things, initiated negotiations about the partnership between Prague and Kyoto. He

supported a series of projects of cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and

Japan and in 1991 was - as one of the leading figures of cultural and spiritual life -

invited to the CSFR by the then president. This visit then became the beginning of

regular study stays at the centre of the school in Kyoto.

After signing a contract on partnership between the cities of Prague and Kyoto in

1996, the Czech-Japanese information and cultural centre was set up thanks to

understanding of the townhall of the city of Prague and the first traditional

Japanese interiors were built. In spring, 2001 (after 5 years of unofficial activity)

under the auspices of the CR president's wife Dagmar Havlova the Czech

association of the Chado Urasenke Tankokai incorporated nonprofit membership

organization was established and since then its program has supported cultural and

educational activities focusing on studying and promotion of the traditional

Japanese culture and on international cultural cooperation.

The chairperson of the Urasenke Tankokai Czech Association is Mr Lubomír Černota.

The Czech study group holds regular study sessions twice a week for those

interested in the Way of Tea and about 4 seminars a year with the participation of a

Japanese Master. The Urasenke Tankokai Czech Association, in cooperation with the

Czech-Japanese Association, Japanese Embassy in the CR and other Czech and

Japanese subjects, organizes also many other events such as lectures, public

presentations etc.