52nd Urasenke Hawaii Seminar
From July 19 (Fri) through July 27 (Sat), 2024, the 52nd Urasenke Hawaii Seminar took place in the presence of Daisōshō SEN Genshitsu, with Tankōkai Advisor AMAE Kishichirō as group leader for the 58 Urasenke members who participated. As in past years, four university students who are enthusiastically studying Urasenke chadō at their respective universities in Japan were included, as invited participants.
This year marked the 52nd time for this Urasenke Hawaii Seminar, which was initiated in 1972, on the occasion of Daisōshō’s (at that time, Iemoto) donation of the Jakuan tea house and Seien tea garden to the University of Hawaii (UH). The program included lectures by Daisōshō, UH professors, and East-West Center (EWC) instructors, friendship exchange tea gatherings hosted by the Tankōkai Hawaii Association and UH chadō club, and other traditional Urasenke Hawaii Seminar events.
Inaugural Meeting
In the evening of the 19th (Fri), the participants met at the Halekulani Hotel for an inaugural meeting. Daisōshō expressed words of welcome to them, and then Group Leader Amae gave a greeting speech. The participants enjoyed chatting with Daisōshō, and they were able to deepen their mutual relationships ahead of the seminar that was about to get started.
Friendship Chakai Hosted by the Tankōkai Hawaii Association
On the 20th (Sat), the Seikōan tea room at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH) was the venue for koicha (thick tea), and the Lounge at the JCCH was the venue for usucha (thin tea). The ensemble of implements was uniquely Hawaiian at both venues, and the Seminar group members were able to have a lovely, leisurely bowl of tea.
Koicha venue, Seikōan
Usucha venue, JCCH Lounge
Friendship Chakai Hosted by the UH Chadō Club
On the 21st (Sun), the UH Chadō Club had an usucha venue at the Jakuan tea house on the UH Manoa campus, and former members of UH Chadō Club had a ryūrei (style employing chair seating) venue at the adjacent East-West Center’s Jefferson Hall.
UH Chadō Club venue, Jakuan
UH Chadō Club Former Members’ venue, EWC Jefferson Hall
Gala Dinner Party Hosted by Daisōshō
In the evening of the 21st, a gala dinner party was hosted by Daisōshō at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The approximately 210 attendees included special guests such as Consul-General KODAMA Yoshinori and his wife, of the Consulate General of Japan in Hawaii, and former Hawaii Governor George ARIYOSHI and his wife, together with officers of the Tankōkai Hawaii Association and the Seminar group members, among others.
Day 1 of Hawaii Seminar UH Lectures
The 22nd (Mon) was the first day of the university lecture program, held at the UH Manoa Campus’ Campus Center Ballroom. It began with a greeting by the UH Manoa Outreach College’s Department Chair of International Programs, Saori DOI.
Daisōshō then gave a few words to open the lecture program, and went on to present the first lecture. While touching upon various subjects, such as the Man’yōshū and the tabidansu travel cabinet that was used at one of the tea venues the previous day, he explained the importance of carrying on such traditions, and concluded by saying, “I want you to find value in living with pride about the country of your birth.”
Next, Dr. Christopher MCNALLY, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the EWC, presented a lecture entitled “Can China’s Economic Miracle Continue?”
Once that was over, there was a luncheon with the Tankōkai Hawaii Association members at the Prince Waikiki hotel. Tankōkai Hawaii Association President Hideo NOGUCHI opened it with a greeting speech. After the meal, during which the Seminar group members and Hawaii Association members enjoyed socializing, matcha was served at each of the tables, using various Hawaiian-made tea bowls.
Day 2 of Hawaii Seminar UH Lectures
The third of the Seminar lectures was by former Japanese Diet member (House of Councilors) MATSUDA Kōta, CEO of KooJoo Co., Ltd. and Vice President of the Tankōkai Tokyo 1 Chapter, whose talk was entitled “Bridging the World and Cultures through Food and Beverage.” Looking back on his own life, including his childhood spent abroad, how he started Tully’s Coffee in Japan, and episodes from his time as a member of the Diet, he spoke about how respecting the food of each other’s country leads to mutual understanding and acceptance of one another.
The fourth lecturer, from the UH, was the attorney Makoto MESSERSMITH, whose talk was entitled “US Electoral College System 101.”
At the ending ceremony, the Seminar group members were each handed a completion certificate from Daisōshō, and completion certificates from the UH and the EWC.
Tea Service at the Urasenke Foundation Hawaii Branch’s Han’yōan
On the 24th (Wed) and 25th (Thu), tea service by the Tankōkai Hawaii Association was available at the Urasenke Foundation Hawaii Branch’s Han’yōan tea room. Amid the pleasant atmosphere, everyone had the opportunity to deepen their relations.
Sayonara Party
The evening of the 25th, there was a poolside Sayonara Party at the Breakers Hotel.
While surrounding Daisōshō and enjoying the food and entertainment, the Seminar group members savored their final evening in Hawaii to their heart’s content.
