9th Urasenke Youth Cruise - 100th Urasenke Friendship Mission to China

9th Urasenke Youth Cruise 100th Urasenke Friendship Mission to China
General Information

Host organization:	Headquarters, Chado Urasenke Tankokai, Inc.
Supporters:	Japanese Government Cabinet Office Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs National Assembly for Youth Development
Schedule:	June 23-July 3, 2001 Kobe Port - Tianjin - Beijing - Tianjin - Dalian - Kobe Port
Chartered ship:	The Fujimaru (23,340 t.), Mitsui OSK Passenger Line, Ltd.
Delegation leader:	SEN Soshi, first son and heir of SEN Soshitsu XV
Delegation vice leader:	IZUMI Soko, second son of SEN Soshitsu XV

In November of 1979, Urasenke Grand Master SEN Soshitsu XV made his first visit to the People's Republic of China, during which he met with Vice-Premier DENG Xiaoping at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. This represented the 1st Urasenke Friendship Mission to China, and ever since then Urasenke has put much energy into furthering goodwill between Japan and China through the medium of the Way of Tea. In June, 2001, Urasenke sent its grand 100th friendship mission to that country, in the form of the 9th Urasenke Youth Cruise. There were 364 participants, consisting mainly of members of the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Youth Division, past members of the Tankokai Youth Division National Council, and students at the Urasenke Gakuen Professional College of the Way of Tea. Special participants from the head Sen family included the wife, daughter, and younger son of SEN Soshi (delegation leader); the wife of IZUMI Soko (delegation vice leader); and OTANI Hiromi, the son of Grand Master SEN Soshitsu XV's late brother, OTANI Mitsuhiko.
The Urasenke Youth Cruise is fundamentally aimed at fostering the next generation of Chado Urasenke Tankokai leaders. While at sea, the participants take part in seminars, discussion sessions, and tea gatherings, and at their ports of call they engage in cultural exchange with the local citizens and present programs to spread understanding about Japanese culture. In June 1974, the 1st Urasenke Youth Cruise sailed to Hong Kong and Okinawa. The 2nd cruise, in July 1977, was again to Hong Kong and Okinawa, and the 6th cruise, in July 1993, was to the Mariana Islands. This year's cruise to mainland China was the sixth time the Urasenke Youth Cruise has sailed to this destination.