Chado Urasenke Tankokai SF Association Mugenki Tea Ceremony
On Sunday, August 11, 2024, the Chado Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association held its annual Mugenki memorial tea ceremony at Hokka Nichi Bei Kai (Japanese American Association of Northern California) in San Francisco’s Japantown. This event honored the memory of Tantansai also known as Mugensai, the 14th grandmaster of Urasenke tea school.
Urasenke Foundation San Francisco hosted the tea and 59 members and guests attended. Vice President of the Association, Allen Okamoto welcomed the guests and Director of the Urasenke Foundation SF Branch Soei Bartlett introduced the hosts. Flowers were offered by Consul of Consulate General of Japan San Francisco HAGIWARA Mayu, Sokyo Tiscornia, and YAMAMURA Soko.
Mayu Hagiwara was the first guest, Soju Wender served as the teishu (host), and UEDA Sobin served as the hanto (assistant) during the first seating.
HAGIWARA Sojin was the first guest, Hiroko Kawamura Shen served as the teishu, and Sokei Hamilton served as the hanto during the second seating.
Sokei Wright was the first guest, Robert Bates served as the teishu, and SATO Soki served as the hanto during the third seating.
The tearoom was filled with dogu (utensils), stories, and conversations about Tantansai which the guests and hosts enjoyed alike in a serene friendly atmosphere.
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