Tea Offering Ceremony by SEN Genshitsu at U.S. Senate Office Building

Tea Offering Ceremony by SEN Genshitsu at U.S. Senate Office Building

The United States Capitol on April 9th, 2013

On April 9, 2013, approximately one hundred invited U.S. officials, senate-related attendees, and others assembled at the historic Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C. to take part in a special "U.S.-Japan Alliance for World Peace" event hosted by Senator Mazie Keiko HIRONO. The event centered around a kenchashiki, or "tea offering ceremony," conducted by special guest Daisosho SEN Genshitsu in prayer for world peace and honoring the memory of the late Senator Daniel INOUYE.

Dr. SEN prepares tea offering in the Kennedy Caucus Room.

In reverent silence, the attendees observed Dr. Sen prepare two offerings of tea, the first placed before the flags of the United States, Hawaii, and the U.S. Senate in dedication to world peace, the second placed before a portrait of the late Senator Inouye, good friend and longtime supporter of Dr. Sen and his quest for peace. Speeches about the role of culture in creating world peace, and memorials for Senator Inouye, were then given by Senator Hirono, fellow Senator from Hawaii; Senator Patrick LEAHY, successor to Senator Inouye as President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate; Japanese Ambassador to the United States Kenichiro SASAE; and Former Hawaii State Governor George ARIYOSHI. Mrs. Jean ARIYOSHI, wife of Mr. George Ariyoshi, acted as emcee. Following the ceremony, Dr. Sen served tea to the attendees, assisted by members of the Urasenke Tankokai Washington D.C. Association.

Dr. Sen completing the tea offering ceremony.


Senator Mazie Keiko HIRONO and Senator Patrick LEAHY give commemorative speeches following the ceremony.

Over a year's planning went into preparing for this event, held in one of the most well-known halls of the U.S. capital. Inspired by the tea offering ceremony at the USS Arizona in 2011, the late Senator Inouye, Senator Hirono, and Mrs. Jean Ariyoshi, with the support of many others, brought the event to fruition. The late Senator Inouye's contribution to both the USS Arizona event and this Washington D.C. event were significant, and his untimely passing in December of 2012 was both an unfortunate and painful loss to all.

Among the other event attendees were Ms. Irene Hirano INOUYE, wife of the late Senator Inouye; Minister Masato OTAKA of The Embassy of Japan; Minister Akira CHIBA and wife of the Embassy of Japan; Chairman Tsunehiko YANAGIHARA of the Japan Commerce Association of Washington D.C.; and President William BREER and Vice President John MILLER of the Urasenke Tankokai Washington D.C. Association.


Dr. Sen prepares tea for the attendees with help from members of the Urasenke Tankokai Washington D.C. Association.