Schedule

Saturday, October 21, 2023
10:30 a.m. Workshop
11:30 a.m. Beverage Tasting
12 p.m. Access to Explore Asia and Tsherin Sherpa: Spirits

Step into the worlds of Argentinian mate and Japanese green tea traditions, and be immersed in a captivating journey of cultures and customs!

In this interactive workshop, explore the traditions, etiquette, and health benefits associated with Argentinian mate and Japanese green tea. Learn about the traditional gourd and bombilla used in Argentinian mate-sharing gatherings and explore the artistry, history, and philosophy rooted in the Japanese tea ceremony.

Whether a tea enthusiast, a mate aficionado, or simply curious about these revered beverages, workshop participants will embark on a sensorial adventure with Asia Society Texas staff Rayén Torres and Nina Shimaguchi as they guide through a hands-on tasting experience on preparation techniques, equipment, and cultural nuances.

After the program, participants can enjoy complimentary access to our Explore Asia and Tsherin Sherpa: Spirits exhibitions with an optional guided tour.

About the Facilitators

Rayén Torres is the Business and Policy Programs Manager at Asia Society Texas. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, mate has been part of her everyday life, some of her most precious memories, and her intellectual curiosity. Prior to joining Asia Society, Rayén was a junior researcher at the Universidad Nacional 3 de Febrero (Argentina), specializing on cultural diversity.  As part of her research interests, she authored and co-authored several journal articles and book chapters on cultural diversity and migrations. Rayén has a Bachelor’s in International Relations, a Master’s in Economics and Political Sciences, and has undertaken postgraduate seminars in Changsha University, China. All of what she could have never achieved without drinking mate in the process!

Nina Shimaguchi is the Japan Outreach Educator at Asia Society Texas. Nina is from Osaka, Japan. Born to a Tea Ceremony teacher for a grandmother, she grew up closely to the Japanese traditions. She found delighted to learn and share more about the unique, interesting, and beautiful culture of Japan while volunteering to teach international students when she was a student. She developed an interest in American culture while learning hip hop dance in her early teens, and went on to study International and North American Studies in college. After taking classes for a semester at UW-Seattle, Nina wanted to discover what life could be like living in the U.S. properly, since she fell in love with America. She has done more than 250 outreach programs with Asia Society, yet her delight to share Japanese culture and curiosity of learning different culture continues.

Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by AARP and Wells Fargo. Generous funding also provided by Asia Chemical Corporation, and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas). Free Thursday exhibition admission presented by Regions Bank. Additional support is provided by Cathay Bank Foundation, the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, and the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions to Asia Society Texas.

Japan Series Sponsor

Presenting Sponsors

Additional Support

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.