GRAND MASTERS First-Generation Rikyu-Soeki (1522-1591) Second-Generation Shoan Sojun (1546-1614) Third-Generation Gempaku Sotan (1578-1658) Fourth-Generation Senso Soshitsu (1622-1697) Fifth-Generation Fukyusai Joso (1673-1704) Sixth-Generation Rikkansai Taiso (1694-1726) Seventh-Generation Chikuso Soken (1709-1733) Eighth-Generation Yugensai Itto (1719-1771) Ninth-Generation Fukensai Sekio (1746-1801) Tenth-Generation Nintokusai Hakuso (1770-1826) Eleventh-Generation Gengensai Seichu (1810-1877) Twelfth-Generation Yumyosai Jikiso (1852-1917) Thirteenth-Generation Ennousai Techu (1872-1924) Fourteenth-Generation Tantansai Sekiso (1893-1964) Fifteenth-Generation Hounsai Genshitsu (1923- ) Sixteenth-Generation Zabosai Soshitsu (1956- ) |
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| U R A S E N K E FOUNDATION OF SEATTLE Transmitting the living art of Chado, the Way of Tea, through harmony, respect, purity and tranquility |
HISTORY
Three generations of Urasenke Konnichian have been dedicated to transmitting
the ideals of the 400-year-old Chado tradition abroad. The 14th, 15th and 16th
generation grand masters have established branches and affiliate groups, built
tea facilities worldwide, authored numerous books and articles, and sponsored
academic programs and art exhibits.
Seattle had its beginnings in the spring of 1981 when Urasenke Konnichian
established a course in Chado at the University of Washington and funded the
reconstruction of the teahouse in the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese
Garden to serve as the classroom.
Sen Soshitsu XV, traveled to Seattle in 1981 to inaugurate the four-credit Art
History "Chado and Japanese Aesthetics" course and bestow upon the teahouse
the name Shoseian, "Arbor of the Murmuring Pines." The course has been
offered continuously every quarter since 1981 and in 2007 UW Bothell campus
launched a Chado course as well.
Recognizing the integral role of Chado in the development of distinctive art
forms, Seattle Art Museum installed, in 1992, in the Asian wing of the third floor
of the new downtown museum, a tearoom designed and donated by Sen
Soshitsu, XV, to showcase the arts and culture of Japan and the friendship
between Japan and the United States. Aptly named Ryokusuian, "Arbor of
Green Reflecting Waters," by Dr. Sen, the teahouse was officially dedicated, in
April 1992, in a ceremony officiated by Soyo Sakurai, daughter of the 14th
generation grand tea master.
In 1985, Urasenke Foundation of Seattle was established as a non-profit
educational organization to engage the broader community in the appreciation
and study of Chado. The Foundation works in cooperation with the University of
Washington, the Seattle Art Museum, the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese
Garden, and the Everett Community College Nippon Business Institute to bring
Chado programs to more than 3,000 people annually.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Prof. Steven Collins
President
Mr. John Dillon
Vice-president
Mr. Kazuyuki Murata
Treasurer
Rev. Genko Blackman
Rev. Tatsunoshin Ohki
Prof. Ken Oshima
Ms. Mayumi Smith
INSTRUCTORS
Urasenke Foundation Seattle Staff
Bonnie Soshin Mitchell
Ms. Mitchell was appointed to serve as the resident tea instructor in 1981. Ms.
Mitchell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of
Washington, before embarking in 1974, on a seven-year course of study in
Chado, the Way of Tea, in Kyoto, Japan. From 1974 to 1981, Ms. Mitchell
studied Chado under the guidance of Mrs. Shizue (Soha) Yanagita. From 1975
to 1981 she studied concurrently at the Urasenke Gakuen Chado Semmon
Gakko college in Kyoto. In 1981, Ms. Mitchell returned to Seattle to teach the
UW Chado course. In 2008, Dr. Sen honored Ms. Mitchell with the certificate of
Seikyoju, the highest rank of merit in the Way of Tea.
Timothy Sowa Olson
Mr. Olson serves as the UW Chado course lecturer and tea instuctor. Mr. Olson
received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Portland State University. A
student of Seattle Branch since 1982, Olson joined the staff in 1999 after
completing a master's training course at the Urasenke Konnichian, the first
non-Japanese trained overseas to do so. In 2001, he was awarded the certificate
of Junkyoju, a senior rank of merit in the Way of Tea.
Three generations of Urasenke Konnichian have been dedicated to transmitting
the ideals of the 400-year-old Chado tradition abroad. The 14th, 15th and 16th
generation grand masters have established branches and affiliate groups, built
tea facilities worldwide, authored numerous books and articles, and sponsored
academic programs and art exhibits.
Seattle had its beginnings in the spring of 1981 when Urasenke Konnichian
established a course in Chado at the University of Washington and funded the
reconstruction of the teahouse in the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese
Garden to serve as the classroom.
Sen Soshitsu XV, traveled to Seattle in 1981 to inaugurate the four-credit Art
History "Chado and Japanese Aesthetics" course and bestow upon the teahouse
the name Shoseian, "Arbor of the Murmuring Pines." The course has been
offered continuously every quarter since 1981 and in 2007 UW Bothell campus
launched a Chado course as well.
Recognizing the integral role of Chado in the development of distinctive art
forms, Seattle Art Museum installed, in 1992, in the Asian wing of the third floor
of the new downtown museum, a tearoom designed and donated by Sen
Soshitsu, XV, to showcase the arts and culture of Japan and the friendship
between Japan and the United States. Aptly named Ryokusuian, "Arbor of
Green Reflecting Waters," by Dr. Sen, the teahouse was officially dedicated, in
April 1992, in a ceremony officiated by Soyo Sakurai, daughter of the 14th
generation grand tea master.
In 1985, Urasenke Foundation of Seattle was established as a non-profit
educational organization to engage the broader community in the appreciation
and study of Chado. The Foundation works in cooperation with the University of
Washington, the Seattle Art Museum, the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese
Garden, and the Everett Community College Nippon Business Institute to bring
Chado programs to more than 3,000 people annually.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Prof. Steven Collins
President
Mr. John Dillon
Vice-president
Mr. Kazuyuki Murata
Treasurer
Rev. Genko Blackman
Rev. Tatsunoshin Ohki
Prof. Ken Oshima
Ms. Mayumi Smith
INSTRUCTORS
Urasenke Foundation Seattle Staff
Bonnie Soshin Mitchell
Ms. Mitchell was appointed to serve as the resident tea instructor in 1981. Ms.
Mitchell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of
Washington, before embarking in 1974, on a seven-year course of study in
Chado, the Way of Tea, in Kyoto, Japan. From 1974 to 1981, Ms. Mitchell
studied Chado under the guidance of Mrs. Shizue (Soha) Yanagita. From 1975
to 1981 she studied concurrently at the Urasenke Gakuen Chado Semmon
Gakko college in Kyoto. In 1981, Ms. Mitchell returned to Seattle to teach the
UW Chado course. In 2008, Dr. Sen honored Ms. Mitchell with the certificate of
Seikyoju, the highest rank of merit in the Way of Tea.
Timothy Sowa Olson
Mr. Olson serves as the UW Chado course lecturer and tea instuctor. Mr. Olson
received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Portland State University. A
student of Seattle Branch since 1982, Olson joined the staff in 1999 after
completing a master's training course at the Urasenke Konnichian, the first
non-Japanese trained overseas to do so. In 2001, he was awarded the certificate
of Junkyoju, a senior rank of merit in the Way of Tea.
The Urasenke Foundation of Seattle
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