The Invisible Dog (New York City) and BUoY Arts Center (Tokyo) are thrilled to present a performance and workshop by Fuku Sakuma and Hinanako Ichihara, as part of NAFAS TOKYO.
This performance /worksop is part of NAFAS, an international festival exploring the relationship between art and food with an exhibition of 60 artists and a series of performances, workshops and events. Discover the full program here
Reserve your seat here (read the admission section below)
Performance Description
Furicha Free Live + Furicha Experience Session is a live performance and participatory workshop inspired by Japan’s traditional furicha culture. Furicha refers to tea traditions found across Japan, characterized by the distinctive practice of whisking tea into a foam. One example is Batabata tea from Asahi Town in Toyama Prefecture, where the movement of the whisk produces a characteristic “cha-cha-cha…” sound. Once an integral part of everyday life, this sound was said to resonate beyond the walls of people’s homes.
In the Ryukyu Islands, the tradition of Bukubuku tea was accompanied by live instrumental music during gatherings and occasions of hospitality. The sounds of the whisk rubbing against the wooden bowl, together with those produced by the gestures of preparing and serving the tea, became part of the music itself, creating a shared sonic experience.
The performance explores this longstanding relationship between furicha and sound. The rhythms and sounds produced by the movement of the tea whisk are combined with electronic instruments, creating new and unexpected sonic interactions. These are further intertwined with real-time projections, transforming the space into an immersive environment in which audiences can experience the world of furicha through sound, movement, and image.
In the workshop that follows, participants are invited to use traditional utensils to whisk Batabata tea and experience furicha firsthand. Through the sounds, gestures, and conversations that emerge around the preparation and sharing of tea, the workshop explores tea as a practice that brings people together and creates a space for gathering, exchange, and relaxation.
Concept of the Work
Fuku Sakuma’s work explores the culture of furicha, a tea tradition that continues to be practiced in various regions of Japan. The custom of whisking tea into a foam takes different forms across the country, from Batabata tea in Toyama and Niigata Prefectures to Bote tea in Ehime Prefecture and Bukubuku tea in the Ryukyu Islands. Unlike the more formal traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony, these practices emerged from everyday life, rooted in the simple act of gathering around tea and sharing time together. At the Batabata Tea Tradition Center in Toyama Prefecture, for instance, local residents gather to drink tea and converse. Watching the rhythmic movement of the whisks as the tea gradually foams reveals a different sense of time—a slower rhythm unfolding within everyday life. Sakuma’s work draws attention to the role furicha has long played in fostering community, conversation, and moments of respite. At a time when the number of people carrying on these traditions is declining, the project uses furicha as a point of departure to reconsider tea as an everyday ritual—one that gently connects people and creates spaces for gathering and exchange in contemporary life.
After discovering Batabata tea in the summer of 2025, Fuku Sakuma began developing activities centered around creating spaces where people can gather and relax. With the aim of fostering communal experiences around tea and promoting furicha culture, she organizes tea gatherings, performances, and other events.
Hinanako Ichihara loves physical, tangible equipment. She creates music in pursuit of warm, human techno.
Location
BUoY Arts Center / Basement
49-11, Senju-Nakacho, Adachi-ku,
Tokyo
Admission:
Both the workshop and the live performance are free of charge. We are considering a pay-what-you-wish/tip format for participants who would like to contribute. We accept advance reservations in order to have an idea of the number of participants, but walk-ins on the day are also welcome. Priority for the workshop will be given to those with reservations. Walk-ins will be accepted for the live performance, although if we reach capacity, some attendees may have to stand. Please reserve your spot here
Date
Thursday September 24, 2026
7.15pm