SEN Genshitsu in San Francisco for Asian Art Museum Teahouse Inauguration, Public Lecture, and Lecture at Stanford University

From April 17-22, 2003, SEN Genshitsu (SEN Soshitsu XV, Hounsai) visited San Francisco, where he participated in the inauguration ceremony for the teahouse that has been installed at the new San Francisco Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. In addition, he presented a lecture as the featured speaker for a public education event on chado at the museum's Herbst Theater, as well as a special lecture program at Stanford University. It was his fourth time in San Francisco to spread the peaceful spirit of chado, the first having been in 1951, on the historic occasion of the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty.

Asian Art Museum Teahouse Inauguration

SEN Genshitsu and Emily SANO at the                                 name plaque unveiling.

The teahouse inauguration took place on April 21, from 4:00 in the afternoon. There were approximately forty participants, including Japanese Consul-General NAKAMURA Shigeru and his wife, various community leaders, and trustees and patrons of the museum. Dr. SEN Genshitsu joined Dr. Emily SANO, director of the museum, and others who were instrumental in the realization of the teahouse, in unveiling the teahouse's name plaque, which read "Muchuan" - "hermitage in the fog." He then performed a temae (procedure for preparing tea) in the teahouse as the guests watched on, and he offered explanations about the spirit and philosophy of chado. Each guest was served a sweet and usucha (thin tea).           Commemorating the teahouse opening and initiation of chado outreach programs at this new facility, Dr. Sen also gave the museum a gift of a calligraphic scroll that he had brushed, reading "Fuki kore kissho," or "Wealth and honor are lucky omens."           Following the teahouse inauguration, in the evening the Urasenke Foundation San Francisco Branch and Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association sponsored a banquet in his honor in the Grand Hall.

SEN Genshitsu performs temae   in the teahouse.	Mrs. Charlotte SHULTZ, wife of former      Secretary of State George SHULTZ,      is among the distinguished guests.

Public Lecture and Chanoyu Demonstration at Herbst Theater

The evening of April 18, 2003, the Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture, together with the Urasenke Foundation San Francisco Branch and Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association, sponsored a public lecture and chanoyu demonstration program at Herbst Theater. Dr. Sen presented a one-hour lecture on the theme "Tea Life-Tea and Zen," which was followed by a chanoyu demonstration on the stage, and a question-answer period. Over 800 citizens attended this educational program.

Lecture and Chanoyu Demonstration at Stanford University

On April 19, 2003, which was his eightieth birthday, Dr. Sen was guest lecturer at Stanford University. The program took place at the Alumni Center, from 10:30 to noon. President John L. HENNESSY and his wife, and Japanese Consul-General NAKAMURA Shigeru and his wife, were among those in the audience. The title of Dr. Sen's lecture was "Peacefulness through a Bowl of Tea." After the lecture, there was a chanoyu demonstration, and in another area the Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association sponsored the serving of sweets and usucha to the attendees.           That evening, Dr. Sen sponsored a banquet at the St. Francis Hotel, inviting approximately 100 guests.

Stanford University.

Dr. Sen gives greeting at the St.    Francis Hotel banquet.