Chado Relay

Sankei newspaper, April 30, 2021

“Tea Creates a Circle of Calm”

Urasenke World Chado Relay
Online Chakai Held through Video Conferencing

Urasenke members representing groups in more than 30 countries around the world participated in the "Urasenke World Chado Relay" for the past several months, as a way of enjoying the Way of Tea and combating disconnectedness caused by the Covid pandemic. Participants felt that their spirits were linked together by this new type of event.

The online tea gathering was started last fall when Robert Hori, Chairman of the Los Angeles Association stated that "even if we can't meet in person, we should be able to stay connected," using social media, video conferencing, etc.
In the United States where the number of people infected with Covid was among the highest in the world, and many people were forced to “Stay at Home” participants responded joyfully to the activity saying that it “helped to bring tranquility into their lives,” and that they were “moved by the opportunity to interact with others even during lockdown.”

The event was held in a relay format with associations from throughout North America participating for about two months, and in response to a series of requests from South America and Europe, it was renamed the "Urasenke World Chado Relay" in January of this year with a total of 37 countries participating.

Hirotaka Miyakawa, chairman of the Urasenke Tankokai Youth Division National Committee, who supported the project, commented that, “Taking place in the midst of the pandemic when social interaction was severely restricted, the Relay as it circled the globe allowed hearts to come together as one, gave participants the opportunity to share their thoughts and spend time together through a Bowl of Tea.” ... See more

An inspiring message from Oiemoto Zabosai “Sit down for a moment, have some tea.” https://urasenkenorthamerica.org/sen-soshitu-video-message/

Visit urasenkenorthamerica.org to view this video message on the closing of the World Chado Relay.

2020 will be remembered as the year the world was shutdown by the global pandemic. Countless lives have been lost, businesses derailed and the emotional toll that we experienced is immeasurable.

In spite of the hardship and uncertainties we faced, there is much that we can be grateful for. The spirit of ‘Wa Kei Sei Jaku’ and the joy of making and sharing a bowl of tea have helped many of us through these difficult times.
As we bring the Urasenke World Chado Relay to a close, we would like to thank Oiemoto Zabosai and Daisosho Hounsai for their leadership and vision in sharing the Urasenke Tradition of Tea with the world. 70 years ago, 15th-generation first planted the seeds of tea outside of Japan, and now those young shoots have grown and prospered under the watchful eye of the 16th-generation Grand Tea Master. Through his video messages and use of the social media a whole new vision for the future has emerged.

The rapid spread of the pandemic has demonstrated how closely connected we are. So to has this Relay. In Spring 2020 the Urasenke Tankokai Federation Youth Division started a campaign on social media which then spread to Canada, then North America, and subsequently encircled the globe.

Thank you to the Uraseneke Tankokai Federation Youth Division for starting the Relay and hosting the closing chakai. In particular Miyakawa Hirotaka, Kanegasaki Masanobu, Nakatani Norimasa and Saeko Shidara were crucial to its success.
Thank you to Andre and Masami Gauvin who started the Relay in Canada bringing together members in Victoria, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec with more than 100 posts over Summer of 2020.

Thank you to Urasenke North America Advisors - Andre Gauvin, Kimiko Gunji, Mioko Miller, Wayne Muromoto, Soyu Nabeta and Glenn Pereira who launched the Urasenke North America Chado Relay, and to all of our colleagues around the world who asked that the Relay be expanded to travel around the world. This would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of Toshimi Kristof who serves as the Administrator of the Facebook page, and who coordinated the posting from around the world. We must not forget Mitsuhiro Kondo who built and launched a homepage for the Relay so those not on social media could follow its progress. And without the constant support of the Urasenke Headquarters and diligent staff of the Urasenke International Affairs Department, particularly Hino Yumiko, none of this would be possible. To all of you named and unnamed our heartfelt thanks go out to you.

As the Urasenke Youth Division’s President Miyakawa expressed in his closing statement that although the Relay has ended, the connections we have made are lasting. Together, we have created an online community joined by a love of the Urasenke Tradition of Tea. Help us keep this community vibrant and active so the circle will remain unbroken.

With thanks and gratitude for all of your support,
Robert Hori
Chair, Urasenke North America Advisory Committee ... See more

Foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Daisosho-sama and Oiemoto-sama for their inspiration and their continued support and assistance throughout this last year and especially during the Relay.

We had quite a journey since the spring of 2020. Who could have predicted a year ago what we were about to experience in the coming months? We had no idea how intense the corona situation was going to become, with challenges that no one had experienced before. And yet, I truly believe we were ready to face whatever challenges that presented itself to us. We were up to the task.

Despite lockdowns, social distancing and suspended classes, tea enthusiasts around the world have not only remained strong throughout the year but they even seized the opportunity to rise and grow. We found ways to innovate in order to stay connected with our local tea practitioners as much as those around the world.

It was by drawing inspiration from Oiemoto-sama’s aim to deepen the ties between Tankokai associations and members, from Daisosho-sama’s teachings of « Peacefulness through a bowl of tea » as well as from the initiative of Seinen-bu that the idea of the Urasenke World Chado Relay was born.

We can humbly say that the Relay has been a success as it has brought our communities closer together and helped in connecting us in this era of social distancing. A circle (WA) of friendship and solidarity was created which helped us achieve our goals in creating stronger ties between members and associations, in spreading the message of “peacefulness through a bowl of tea” and in introducing broader audiences to Urasenke chado.

This achievement could not have been done without the participation of tea lovers across the planet as well as the heads of each of the associations in different countries who generously gave of their time and energy to prepare their presentation. We are also most grateful for the advice and direction we regularly receive from the staff of the International Affairs Department at Urasenke Headquarters in Kyoto and representatives of Seinen-bu.

The making of the World Relay was a wonderful team effort, and I am grateful to my colleagues Robert Hori and Toshimi Kristof. It was so wonderful to share the same passion for Chado and to truly feel we belong to a great community.

The bright side of the story is that everyone’s next meeting in person will be so joyous and rich in emotion. I deeply hope we can make it happen soon and we can share a good bowl of tea together. Stay safe and healthy!

André Gauvin
Member of the Urasenke World Chado Relay organizing committee
Member of the Advisory Body of the Chado Urasenke North America Head Office
President, Urasenke Québec Association ... See more

Congratulations to all the members of the Urasenke ‘domon’ in the world. In the last eight months, we have been able to connect the Urasenke of 37 countries and 86 groups with a bowl of tea. The world's Harmony,
Respect, Purity and Tranquility were also connected.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the World Chado Relay for sharing the history of the group, annual events, and stories during the Pandemic.
Thanks to everyone's cooperation and support, the World Chado Relay was able to reach its goal very smoothly without any major confusion or problems. I am relieved to be able to safely return the baton to Japan.

I think the Boston Association, who posted first, had a hard time starting from a place where there was no example to follow. However, thanks to you, the roads were established one after another, and it was easier for the following groups to see the purpose and direction for their posts.

When I received the report that the relay would be extended to the world, I was worried about what would happen, but there is no other moment like this that you can share such a happy time with many of ‘domon’ all over the world in this painful situation. This relay could not go anywhere without your participation.

Also, a wonderful and heartfelt closing chakai for the youth division. I was moved. Bravo!! Thank you very much for your participation.

A special thanks to Hori-san for his leadership throughout this event. His constant attention and guidance made it all happen. Also, to André-san for the germ of the idea that finally blossomed into this chado, Great Idea!

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Daisosho-sama, Oiemoto-sama, Wakasosho-sama, whole Sen family, and everyone involved in Urasenke, for reporting that the World Chado Relay was successfully completed. I would like to say, “Thank you very much”.

Everyone, please continue to stay healthy and safe. I hope that one day we can have a bowl of tea together in a ‘chashitsu’ somewhere. This relay ring is not over, let us make it even bigger with everyone's power.
Gassho

Toshimi Kristof
Chado Relay Facebook administrator

世界の裏千家の同門の皆様、おめでとうございます。この8か月間で合計37か国、86の世界の裏千家を一盌で繋ぐことが出来ました。世界の和敬清寂も繋がりました。

世界茶道リレーにご参加くださいました皆様、グループの歴史や恒例行事そしてパンダミックの中でのお話しを共有してくださいましてありがとうございました。世界茶道リレーは皆様のご協力と応援のおかげで大きな混乱や問題は一切なく、とてもスムーズにゴールインすることが出来ました。無事に日本へバトンを戻せて安堵しています。一番最初にご投稿いただいたボストン協会様は何の道筋も無い所からのスタートで大変だったことと思います。でもお蔭様で徐々に道が確立され、後に続くグループは目的や方向が見え投稿し易かったことと思います。リレーを世界へ伸ばすとの報告を受けた時は、どうなるかと不安でしたが、皆様のお蔭でこんなに晴れ晴れとした素晴らしい瞬間を皆様と共に迎えることが出来ました。このリレーは皆様無しでは何処へも進めませんでした。

また青年部の方たちの素晴らしい心のこもった閉会茶会。目頭が熱くなる思いで拝見しておりました。青年部の皆様、ありがとうございました。

このイベントを通して素晴らしいリーダーシップを発揮してくださいました堀さんに感謝いたします。 彼の絶え間ない気配りと指導力が無事ゴールへと導いてくれました。 また、この茶道リレーのアイディアの芽を見事に海外で開花させてくださいましたアンドレさんありがとうございました、素晴らしいアイデアでした！

最後になりましたが、大宗匠様、お家元様、若宗匠様、千家の皆さま、また裏千家の関係各位の皆さま、無事に世界茶道リレーが終了したことをご報告いたします。そして最初から最後まで多大なるご支援を賜りまして誠にありがとうございました。厚く御礼申し上げます。

皆様どうぞこれからも健康で安全にお過ごしください。いつの日か何処かのお茶室で一盌を共に出来ることを切望いたします。このリレーの輪は終わりではありません、皆の力でこれからさらに大きくして参りましょう。
合掌

クリストフ和泉紀美
茶道リレーFacebook管理者 ... See more

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We are delighted that your participation in the Urasenke World Chado Relay has been featured on the Urasenke Official Facebook page! Please see an English summary and a link to the post below.

Urasenke World Chado Relay

Tea practitioners from around the globe participated in the Urasenke World Chado Relay by making a bowl of tea filled with their heartfelt feelings, posting it to social media, then passing the Baton to the next participant. The Relay began in America last September when in person gatherings became difficult under Covid restrictions. The Relay travelled to 32 countries and 6 continents before safely reaching the finish line in Japan on April 19th!

Providing the Relay with a grand finale was the Urasenke Tankokai Federation Youth Division.

We hope you will take a look at the Relay's postings on Facebook - https://facebook.com/NAChadoRelay to learn about the beginnings of Urasenke Chado Associations and Study Groups outside of Japan, to see the spirit of innovation at work, and to appreciate how tea is enjoyed around the world.

(Organized by the Urasenke North America Advisory Committee) ... See more

English version of post #2

Urasenke Tankokai Federation – Youth Division
Urasenke World Chado Relay – Closing Chakai (Pt. 2)
Hosted by the Urasenke Tankokai Federation – Youth Division 28th Term Executive Committee

Teishu: Miyakawa Hirotaka – President Kitami City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Hanto: Nakatani Masanobu – Chair Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture
Shokyaku: Fukui Masaoki – Past President Kyoto City, Kyoto
Jikyaku: Okuyama Takashi – Past Chair, Iseshima, Mie Prefecture
And, 50 members of the Youth Division from throughout Japan

[Kama – Kettle]
We are using a kettle made by Keiten in the shape of Mt. Fuji, an iconic symbol of Japan. The Relay Baton that travelled around the world has returned to Japan, so in choosing this kettle, we hope to bring a little bit of Japan to all of you.

[Mizusashi – Water Jar]
The box for the mizusashi is inscribed by Daisosho Hounsai. It was made by Suiran and is decorated with designs of the Ainu, the native people of Hokkaido where President Miyakawa is from. It has a red lacquered lid which we hope lends a sense of youthfulness to the ensemble.

[Futaoki – Lid Rest]
The lid showing three figures joining hands has a blue Kochi glaze and was made by Kosai. The people of the world joining hands together symbolizes our hope for peace. Social media has brought us closer together, where we can enjoy being in the same ‘place’ though separated physically. We hold our love of chado in common, and though we are separated, our hearts and mind can be joined together, and we are filled with gratitude. With this in mind we selected this futaoki.

[Kensui – Waste Water Container]
This container is from Indonesia. As the Relay travelled around the globe bringing us together, we wanted to bring that international spirit into our selection of utensils.

[Tobacco Tray]
The tobacco tray bears the cipher of Daisosho Hounsai. Its shape is that of a letter box, and it was made by Hyosaku. The hiire is Awata Ware made by Yasuda Hiroto.

[Thin Tea Container]
The thin tea container is in the shape of a globe. It bears the cipher of Daisosho Hounsai and is of Yamanaka lacquer by Kasho. The Relay travelled around the world so we wanted to recognize all of the thoughts and energy of all those who participated in passing the Baton from country-to-country, and with this tea caddy we are bringing your thoughts into today’s gathering.

[Chashaku – Tea Scoop]
The tea scoop was made by a Seinenbu from Kumamoto. It bears the poetic name “Rai” – “What’s to Come.” It was made during the 2016 National Conference where each participant carved a tea scoop, gave it a poetic name along with a message, and exchanged it with another participant.
The message that accompanied this tea scoop is that “no matter what the happens (in life), tomorrow will come.” The world changed radically with the pandemic, and it caused great emotional and economic hardships. It is our wish and hope that normalcy will soon be restored to our daily lives. It is with this thought that we selected today’s chashaku. But whatever lies in our future “tomorrow will inevitably come.”

[Closing Remarks from our Host – President Miyakawa]
The Urasenke World Chado Relay took place in the midst of the pandemic when tea classes and gatherings could not happen. It was started by the North America Advisory Body as a way to strengthen those ties that bind us during those uncertain times when many suffered from physical isolation. Like the Olympic Torch passed from one participant to the next, the Relay Baton traveled around the globe for the past eight months. A bowl of tea made with heartfelt feelings was sent to from to another, and in this way, it has arrived at the finish line. Please accept my sincere congratulations on this accomplishment.
Last year, the pre-event for the 16th national convention was held online with the theme “My Bowl of Tea – Spreading Smiles,” with participants from throughout Japan. Through bringing smiles to all of our members, it joined us together as one. This was a new venture spreading with it a ray of hope. That movement travelled across national borders bringing together the peoples of 32 countries and 6 continents. It is truly a great joy that the Way of Tea has brought all of us together.
The Relay reached the finish line on April 19th, Daisosho Sama’s birthday, and it is a great honor for the National Youth Division to receive the baton.
During this chado relay which travelled around the globe participants made and shared a bowl of tea. By sharing time together and sending out good thoughts, it united our spirits, filled our heart with joy and brought smiles to our faces.
Though this Relay has now reached the finish line, and even though we are still kept apart by Covid restrictiona, we should not let the network that we have created together be forgotten. We must continue to grow our community started through the sharing of a bowl of tea.
The members of our Youth Division are committed to help continue the friendship and connections created by the Relay.
My heartfelt thanks go out to Robert Hori, Chair of the North America Advisory Body, to members of the Organizing Committee, and to all of you who participated in the Relay, providing me with this opportunity to address you today.

Arigatou gozaimashita!
Chado Urasenke Tankokai Federation – Youth Division President
Miyakawa Hirotaka ... See more