NIHONGO FOR TRAVELERS

Traveling to Japan? Join Sheila Walters Matsuda in a two-part, two-hour workshop and learn to communicate effectively with age appropriate etiquette to interact respectfully and with confidence.

The workshop will be offered in two sessions, each two hours in length at the East-West Chanoyu Center. The dates and times will be arranged according to your preference. Limited to 6 participants. For information email Matsuda sensei at <matsudawaltersconsultancy@gmail.com>.

Sheila Walters Matsuda has taught Japanese language and culture at colleges and high schools in Hawaii and Oregon.  She has developed exchange programs between Portland area schools and schools in Japan and trained community members, students, parents, and faculty in culturally responsive travel to Japan. 

Matsuda’s interest in Japanese language began as a high school Rotary Exchange Student and continued as a college student at Waseda University in Tokyo.  Her interest in the classical cultural arts led her to Kyoto to study Tea Ceremony, Japanese dance, and the shakuhachi bamboo flute with some of Japan’s leading masters.  

Matsuda holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Hawaii and a master's degree in international educational development from Columbia University.  

We express our gratitude to King County 4Culture for their generous support in the construction of the tearooms, as well as their program support for Tearoom Tours, the Four Seasons Tea Ceremony events, and the JCCCW spring and fall events.