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