Written by Janica Marie Pascua, Content Producer, UH System, Office of Communications
UH Way of Tea Club members on the second floor of the Kinmoukaku gate of Daitokuji temple in Kyoto, Japan. Photo credit: Akiko Ono
For students of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Way of Tea club, the journey to Japan was more than just an opportunity to explore and experience a new place—it was a long awaited reunion with their sister tea club from Doshisha University, located in Kyoto, Japan, the center of tea schools.
The UH Mānoa Way of Tea club visited during spring break, spending three days of their seven-day trip with their sister tea club. The Doshisha students welcomed the Hawaiʻi students with a tea ceremony at their tea house, Kanbaiken, with original sweets they designed to express friendship between the two clubs.
“This was the first tea ceremony that I participated as a guest in. Having our sister school’s tea club be the hosts of my first tea ceremony was truly amazing,” said Kara Shaw, the UH Mānoa Way of Tea club’s treasurer. “It was so surreal yet serene in the tea house—it was truly a beautiful moment that every one of my senses remembers to this day.”
The following day, the students of the two universities toured Daitoku-ji, a Buddhist temple, and Konnichian, the historic headquarters of Urasenke Tea Tradition, where they received an unexpected appearance of the 15th generation Grand Tea Master Genshitsu SEN. Dr. SEN, who donated UH Mānoa’s tea house, Jaku’an, is a highly respected individual in the world of Chado (way of tea) in Japan and internationally.
- Related UH News story: Traditional Japanese tea house marks 50 years at UH Mānoa, November 22, 2022
“The experience was incredible; it was absolutely indescribable,” said Madeline Gilbert, an officer in publicity in the Way of Tea club. “We were in the largest tea room I have ever been in. In addition to that, we had an unexpected visit by Dr. Sen himself. He’s [the Way of Tea club’s] favorite person—we admire him and respect everything he stands for.”
“We knew we would have the honor of meeting with Dr. Sen later that evening, but seeing him at this timing was such a surprise,” added Akiko Ono, a lecturer for the Chado practicum course and faculty member who oversees the Way of Tea club. “He embraced us and showered us with care. He has so much compassion. The students were very overwhelmed.”
The UH Mānoa students later had the opportunity to host a tea ceremony for the Doshisha students in an authentic tea house in Kyoto that was donated by the Panasonic CEO Konosuke Matsushita. The students dressed in kimono (national Japanese costume), serving tea in the club’s first off-island tea ceremony. Sen was the club’s guest of honor, in addition to other important guests.
Appreciation for Chado during the trip was also expressed in activities such as Japanese sweets making (sweets are traditionally served during tea ceremonies) and a stop in Uji, Kyoto to visit tea manufacturers, grind matcha tea powder with a stone and make Asahi-yaki (stoneware tea bowls).
“I have been a part of the club for over a year now, and thanks to that, I was able to visit Japan with a new perspective and appreciation for its culture and history,” said Way of Tea Vice President Yuma Tochika. “The world of tea in Japan is much larger than I expected, and I was able to meet many people who were involved with tea and who have supported our club over the years.”
Tea for two
The history between the tea clubs at UH Mānoa and Doshisha University runs deep with Sen, who bridged the clubs together as both universities hold a special place in his heart. Sen, a World War II veteran who was a Kamikaze pilot, graduated from Doshisha University and also studied at UH Mānoa.
In 2020, just before COVID-19 shut down travel, Sen brought 20 students from Doshisha University to visit the UH Mānoa campus and have an exchange between the tea clubs. In 2022, more Doshisha students visited to participate in the Urasenke Summer Seminar being hosted at UH Mānoa. This year, the UH Mānoa Way of Tea club decided it was their turn to visit Doshisha and continue building the connection that Sen created.
“This trip helped the club see what we were truly a part of,” said Gilbert. “Here in Hawaiʻi, we tend to feel like we’re on our own since we’re so separated from the main body of Chado tradition. It helped us feel more connected to Kyoto and our sister club.”
Gilbert and Ono further expanded on Sen’s significance to both clubs, expressing that he’s a person they all look up to due to his passion for bringing forth peace. A legend in Chado, Sen is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, and his mission is “Peacefulness through a bowl of tea.”
About the club
The Way of Tea club currently consists of four PhD students and 20 undergraduate students. They participate in public events to introduce the community to Chado and exhibit the older interactive art form to others.
Due to the serious and disciplined nature of Chado, the current club members highly recommend that interested students take Ono’s ASAN 324 Chado – The Way of Tea Practicum course first to learn the basics of Chado before committing to the club.
For more information, visit the Way of Tea club website.
To view more photos from the club’s Kyoto trip, visit UH News for a related story, published on May 26, 2023: ‘Way of Tea’ students deepen ties through Japan exchange.