Jaku'an Tea House in the Seien Japanese Garden
Photo Credit: Mark Levin, 2022
We acknowledge the passing of Dr. Genshitsu Sen, 15th-generation tea master, a dear friend and supporter of our Center, in August 2025. News@UH's inspiring memorial report can be found at https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2025/08/19/in-memoriam-genshitsu-sen/.
The Dr. Genshitsu Sen (Sōshitsu XV) International Way of Tea Center, established by an endowed gift in 2001, is organized within the UHM Center for Japanese Studies (CJS), under the supervision of the CJS Director.
The Way of Tea Center's international focus assists CJS in fulfilling its mission of promoting a deeper understanding of Japan within a global context by educating students and helping to perpetuate traditional Japanese tea culture.
The Center's initiatives include:
- The Way of Tea Practicum Course (ASAN 324), offered in the Fall and Spring semesters through the Department of Asian Studies, is taught by Ms. Akiko Ono, Kyoju of the Urasenke chadō tradition and a member of the Urasenke Hawaiʻi Association.
- Tea ceremony demonstrations
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Sponsorship of the Chanoyu Outreach Project by offering tea ceremony demonstrations on the UH Mānoa campuses for classes. These demonstrations are conducted in cooperation with Ono-sensei.
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- Supporting the Way of Tea Club at UH Mānoa
- This is a student-run club. Members are dedicated to the study of traditional Urasenke-style chadō under the instruction of Ono-sensei.
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For more information on the club, activity updates, and announcements on tea ceremony gatherings that are opened to the public, please visit their website at https://uhmteaclub.weebly.com/ and follow their Instagram account @uh_teaclub.
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To make a donation in support of the UHM CJS Way of Tea Center, please visit https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/12373814.
Jaku'an news and updates:
