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urasenke Foundation Seattle Branch |
urasenke Foundation Seattle Branch |
urasenke foundation seattle branch |
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| Front Pages: 2/02/2002, Version 1.0 Greetings Welcome to this website for members of Seattle Branch and chajin everywhere. Our purpose is two-fold: to provide a platform for communication from the Branch to its members, and to serve as a vehicle of communication for those interested in Chado, the Way of Tea. Many of our UW students are comfortable using online information, increasingly our general membership is availing itself of this technology as well. For those who request it, we will continue sending announcements of our activities by way of the Calendar of Events. However, we encourage you to use this site to save trees and fees associated with rising postal costs. We have created various sections including forum, art of tea, photo album, Ad, etc. These are for the purpose of building a stronger tea community, developing friendships, improving communications, and sharing resources both intellectual and material. We made this site simple and flexible so that we can change and improve it with ease. Any and all suggestions are welcome and will be incorporated and experimented with to see what makes sense. Sen Rikyu’s spirit of embracing new and even foreign ideas inspires us as we launch this project. We hope you will enjoy sharing this journey with us. Sincerely, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Foundation, Seattle Branch February 2, 2002 ================================================================ 3/03/2002, Version 1.1 Welcome Seattle Branch members and tea enthusiasts. We appreciate the encouragement and contributions you have given since the website opened in February and we expanded the site to include those suggestions: Bulletin: timely messages and information from us to you. Classifieds: for the exchange of tea utensils and other items. Forum: includes the Book section for reviews and articles; the Opine section for your original essays; and the Member News sections. Food: for Cha-Kaiseki and Wagashi recipes. Chanoyu Dictionary: for information at your fingertips. Gallery: for artists and artisans. Volunteers: for unique opportunities. Our current Board of Directors is unusual in that it is comprised entirely of those who have studied, or are studying Tea. Board President Dr. Steven Gilbert is the former president of a biotechnolgy firm. With his business background, Steve has been actively streamlining our organization. Board Vice-president Mr. John Dillon will return to Seattle in March between theater productions in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. John has been invited to present Tea this month at the University of North Carolina. John was instrumental in preserving the Chanoyu demonstrations at Seattle Art Museum's Ryokusuian teahouse when budget cuts threatened the program. We are pleased to welcome recent arrival Seattle Art Museum Japanese art curator, Dr. Yukiko Shirahara. She will be a powerful force in promoting Chanoyu in the Seattle cultural milieu. Congratulations are in order for Ms. Keiko Tanaka, who passed her oral exams for a doctorate in communications. Although Keiko has yet to write her dissertation, she has generously offered to serve on the Membership Committee with Board Secretary Ms. Marjorie Yap, who recently joined Physio-Control where she works in marketing portable heart defribillators. Some of you may know that Marjorie’s husband, Mr. Craig Tenney, quit the corporate world to become a woodworker. He is currently making utensil boxes and chabako. Look for his work in the "gallery" section in the near future. Among Craig’s patrons is Board Treasurer Mr. Ron Swanson, formerly of Amazon.com, who now chairs the Development Committee. In planning for our future growth, a few members have expressed their interest in sharing a residential arrangement with the Branch if a designated Chanoyu Center were built. Since my husband and I live at the Branch, such an arrangement, if realized, would be a nice addition to our lives. Others have also mentioned shared facilities for synergistic usage. We are informally exploring such possibilities. If you have an interest or suggestions, please let us know. Finally, former Board President, Prof. Wes Borden married Dr. Sheila Buxton, who recently arrived from England, ending their long distance romance / commute. We look forward to their reception in June. I will be in New York to see the Urasenke Tea exhibition at Japan Society and Asia Society. Go to Forum for details. Thank you again for your support. We had a great start. Sincerely, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Seattle Branch March 1, 2002 ======================================================================= 4/02/2002, Version 1.2 New Art of Tea Exhibition Recently, I traveled to New York City to see the Urasenke "New Way of Tea" exhibition at Japan Society and Asia Society. (Go to Forum, books et all, for details.) Sen Soshi, the hereditary successor to the grand master of the Urasenke Tradition of Tea, (see photo) presented an informative and engaging lecture / demonstration at Japan Society on March 5th as part of the exhibition that featured traditional and contemporary Chanoyu art and spaces. It is remarkable to note the wide range of relatively young artists and designers exploring new forms of Tea utensils and architectural spaces under the guidance and support of Urasenke, especially Izumi Soko, Grand Master Hounsai's second son. Top graphic artist Tanaka Ikko was among the leaders of this movement, along with interior designers Uchida Shigeru and Sugimoto Takashi of SuperPotato Design. Along with overseas expansion efforts initiated by the 14th generation grand master, Tantansai, and continued by the present grand master Hounsai, this exhibition is a clear sign that Urasenke is keeping alive Sen Rikyu's free and open spirit. We tend to think that Tea is traditional and that it must be culturally fixed and frozen. However, what Rikyu proposed was radical and revolutionary in his time. For example, in constructing the teahouse Taian, Rikyu selected common, ordinary wood such as pine, avoiding precious materials, contrary to established norms. Rikyu proposed an ideal of beauty found in simple unadorned objects, in radical opposition to the accepted aesthetic values derived from the imported arts of China. It should also be noted that Rikyu's free spirit could not have survived without the support of equally free-spirited religious leaders and policy makers.The emergence of new culture requires it. (Think Taliban.) Oda Nobunaga, known for his harsh treatment of the opposition, nonetheless reformed commerce policies to increase the flow of goods and services, thus increasing the wealth of the society, providing the basis for leisure activities such as Tea, and a host of other arts and crafts. From the view point of traditional Chanoyu, some of the exhibited items may be perceived as odd, but according to Sen Soshi who liken them to modern jazz "...as in improvisation, all forms of expression are encouraged. There are no mistakes." After the rapid expansion of traditional arts following WWII, the culture of Chanoyu faces difficult times today in Japan, where fewer and fewer people live on tatami mats. Mr. Sugimoto, an interior designer in Tokyo, noted during the "Tokyo Design Now" panel discussion that young designers view traditional Japanese design almost as foreigners do. What that means for our practice of Tea is that those of us studying Tea in Seattle are not so different from those practicing in Tokyo. _______________________________ In planning for our future growth, a few members have expressed their interest in sharing a residential arrangement with the Branch if a designated Chanoyu Center were built. Since my husband and I live at the Branch, such an arrangement, if realized, would be a very nice addition to our lives. Others have also mentioned shared facilities for synergetic usage. We are informally exploring such possibilities. If you have an interest or suggestions, please let us know _______________________________ We regret to inform you of the departure of staff member Mr. Patt Pope. (See bulletin.) We are pleased to welcome home Ms. Gwen Stamm, who returns after studying Chanoyu for one year in the Urasenke Midorikai program in Kyoto. Gwen will share her experiences and knowledge with UW students this spring as a studio instructor. Branch instructor Mr. Timothy (Sowa) Olson traveled to Paris during spring break (Ms. Masako Morino and family were also in Paris) to confirm, among other pursuits, his suspicions that it was the French after all, not the English, who developed an appreciation for hign quality tea. Thank you again for your continued support. Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Seattle Branch March 25, 2002 ---------------- Isso-an (One Grass Hut) March 17, 2002, Branch student Marjorie Yap, second from left, held a celebration to commemorate the opening of a tearoom in her home in Bellevue, Washinton. Joining her were guests Genko Blackman, Bonnie Mitchell and Tim Olson. The room was designed and constructed by Marjorie's husband, Craig Tenney. Contact them at: sweetpersimmon@msn.com ======================================================================= 5/01/2002, Version 1.3 In Praise of Families Japanese artistic disciplines from Noh and Kabuki theatre to Ikebana and Chanoyu are transmitted by descendants of a family progenitor recognized for his artistic genius. The hereditary grand master system, or iemoto seido, has been the vehicle for the stewardship of various cultural traditions from medieval times to the present. The teachings of the revered 16th c. tea master Sen Rikyu, creator of “wabi” Tea, have been passed down in this way through three branches of the Sen family, Omotesenke, Urasenke and Mushanokojisenke. These families have flourished in spite of overwhelming challenges brought about by political and economic changes. At a recent lecture at Japan Society of New York, Sen Soshi, the hereditary successor to the 15th Urasenke grand master, identified Japan’s inheritance tax system as today’s greatest enemy of traditional arts. Director Itami Junzo in his film “A Taxing Woman,” uses the foil of inheritance taxes to examine the love of a father for his son. The protagonist, Mr. Gondo, a morally corrupt but nonetheless empathetic owner of “love” hotels, takes extraordinary measures to pass on assets to his only (motherless) child (without any help from Arthur Andersen). Inheritance taxes are applied equally without distinction between cultural and “other” pursuits, with punitive damage of close to 100%. We tend to think of the government as supporting and encouraging arts and culture, something the private sector cannot do. But we must not forget it was the Meiji government that considered replacing the Japanese language with French or English to speed up Japan’s integration with the West. And traditional arts, such as Judo and Kendo, were eliminated from the public school curriculum, with baseball and Western music filling the void. Only recently has the government granted various monetary awards to preserve cultural treasures. The Sen families have passed down the tradition of Tea from generation to generation against enormous odds. This has been accomplished in part through the support of private entities and individuals. We are grateful for that support and the opportunity it provides us to practice the Art of Tea far from its native land. It is our hope that more and more individuals in our own community will come to recognize the value of Chanoyu and help us to transmit it to future generations. _______________________________ In planning for our future, a few members have expressed an interest in sharing a residential arrangement with the Branch if a designated Chanoyu Center were built. As my husband and I live at the Branch, such an arrangement, if realized, would be a wonderful addition to our lives. Others have also mentioned shared facilities for synergetic use. We are informally exploring such possibilities. If you have an interest or suggestions please let us know. _______________________________ Coming Events: Student Tea Gathering Saturday, June 1, 2002 Seattle Branch This event is designed to give Branch students an opportunity to share Chanoyu with family and friends and to put into practice the various skills they have learned in class. Genko Blackman, Miya Shimada, and Marjorie Yap will be hosting the event. Space is limited so please make reservations early by calling 206.324.1483 or email: urasenkeseattle@hotmail.com _______________________________ Finally, please note that Seattle Branch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, thus you or your company may make a tax-deductible donation to the extent permitted by law. For details, go to the Contribution section. Thank you again for your continued support. Sincerely, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Seattle Branch May 1, 2002 P.S. (photo below) In April I traveled to Oregon to give an intensive workshop to members of the Wakai Dokokai. Teachers Minako (Somi) Frady, June (Soshu) Moriyasu, and Jan (Sosui) Waldman, along with their students, participated in rounds of ensemble tea (Shichijishiki). ======================================================================= 6/01/2002, Version 1.4 Kiyosaki and Rikyu Rich Dad, Poor Dad, a recent work by best-selling author Robert Kiyosaki, challenges our conventional notions of work and education. Kiyosaki's book also touches upon the assimilation of Japanese Americans into Ameican society. Taking the long view, 19th century Japanese immigrants brought practical values to their new country, accepting it, discrimination and all, in order to provide greater opportunities for future generations. Japan transformed itself from a closed, agricultural society into an open, industrial nation within a relatively short period of time. From the end of the 19th century, Japan actively embraced Western civilization. The best and brightest men and women were sent to Europe and American to gain knowledge of Western languages, art, medicine, science, and engineering. At home some took up Western dancing and abandoned kimono in favor of evening dress. While these gestures seem silly today, they reflected a deep desire to preserve the sovereignty of Japan by joining world powers, rather than being subsumed by them. Leaders and ordinary citizens of the young nation correctly assessed the shifting paradigm and adjusted their worldview to meet the challenges of the times. Chanoyu as we know it came into being in the turbulent second half of the 16th century when leaders such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi turned the nation upside down. Every norm was questioned and a new structure achieved as society and culture were revitalized, and exploding wealth encouraged new cultural developments to flourish. Through the force of this change, previously unrelated and even foreign elements fused to bring about the birth of Rikyu’s wabi culture. ______________________________ In planning for our future growth, some members have expressed an interest in sharing a residential arrangement with the Branch, if a designated Chanoyu Center were built. My husband and I live at the Branch, and such an arrangement, if realized, would be a very nice addition to our lives. Others have also mentioned shared facilities for synergetic use. We are informally exploring these possibilities. If you have an interest or suggestions, please contact us. A delegate from our building committee was dispatched to St. Louis to examine Japanese architect Tadao Ando's latest work, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts (see photo below). A report to the Board will be issued soon, discussing the future the Seattle Branch Chanoyu Center with regard to the selection of an architect. _______________________________ New and Improved Tea room Thanks to a generous in-kind donation from member and in-house designer, we upgraded our 8-mat tearoom (see photo above). Among the changes is a new tokonoma, the shape and dimensions of which are modeled after Urasenke's main teaching room, Totsutotsusai, in Kyoto. Construction was done by our friend Hans Nelsen, an artist and craftsman (hanumari@earthlink.net), who also generously donated a large portion of his work to the Foundation. ________________________________ Finally, let me remind you that we are IRS recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Giving is one of best ways of reducing your tax liability, while determining how your money will be spent. For details, please go to the contribution section. Thank you again for your continued support. Sincerely, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Seattle Branch June 4, 2002 ============================================================== 7/01/2002, Version 1.5 Peter F. Drucker and Rikyu Business management guru Peter Drucker is a leader in promoting the value and power of non-profit organizations in a democratic society. In his book “Managing Non-Profit Organizations” Drucker describes the ‘three legs of society ’ as the free-market sector, the government sector, and the non-for-profit sector. The business sector supplies goods or services and discharges its task when the customer buys the product. Government controls and discharges its function when its policies are effective. The non-profit organization neither supplies nor controls. Its ‘product’ is a changed human being -- a cured patient, a child that learns, a young person who grows into a self-respecting adult. Since the 16th century, the hereditary heirs of Sen Rikyu have supported and maintained the Urasenke tradition of Chanoyu and its related arts for that very same purpose, a changed human life. Fifty years ago, Sen Soshitsu XV took up the work begun by his father to share the Art of Tea with a wider audience, by establishing and maintaining overseas organizations. What is today a global community of Tea practitioners, however, depends upon one man’s largesse. As Japan faces an aging population coupled with a low birth rate, in combination with a weak economy, we must look beyond Urasenke’s generosity to create a sustainable future. In 1997, overseas representatives were asked to take up the challenge of assuming more fiscal responsibility for their respective branches. In response, Seattle Branch streamlined its organization and reduced operational expenses while offering more services to its members and the community. However, we must assess the future of our organization with fresh eyes, to arrive at a long-term sustainable plan. This June we received a rare visit from Mr. Yonesaku of Headquarters and Mr. Yamada of the New York Branch to discuss these future plans. We are encouraged by their positive comments and will proceed with more detailed plans and strategic objectives. With the help of you, our dedicated board of directors, shachu, and members, we will work to become an even more effective and efficient organization to accomplish the mission of sharing “Peace through a Bowl of Tea.” Thank you again for your continued support. Sincerely, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Seattle Branch July 4, 2002 8/01/2002, Version 1.6 Seattle Branch Celebrates 20th Anniversary This year Seattle Branch marks its 20th anniversary. Over the years our practice has deepened and our tea community has widened. The seeds that Dr. Sen so carefully planted and nourished have taken root. Looking to the future, we hope to continue to share the ethics and aesthetics of Chanoyu with those who value inner richness and the discovery of beauty in our everyday lives. We are grateful to Dr. Soshitsu Sen, XV, and family for the opportunity to share the gift of Chanoyu with others. The dedication of our student body and the support of our members are the best evidence of the efficacy of our combined efforts. We also wish to acknowledge and thank the University of Washington, the Seattle Art Museum, the Arboretum Foundation, and the Japanese Garden for their cooperation. Collaboration with these organizations has enabled Urasenke to design, build, and support teahouses and Chanoyu programs. With the maturity of our Tea community comes the responsibility to insure our future. Today we depend upon the largess of Dr. Sen and the Urasenke Foundation. However, Japan faces an aging population coupled with a low birth rate in combination with a weak economy. The time has come for us to look beyond Urasenke’s generosity to create a sustainable future for Chanoyu practice in our region. In 1997, Urasenke representatives were asked to assume increased fiscal responsibility for their respective branches. Seattle responded by reducing operational expenses while increasing revenues through expanding services to our members and the community. With the help of our dedicated board of directors, student body, and members we have worked to become more effective, as well as efficient, in our mission of sharing “Peace through a Bowl of Tea.” This June we received a visit from Mr. I. Yonesaku, Director of the International Division of Urasenke, and Mr. H. Yamada, Director of the New York Branch, to discuss these future plans. We are encouraged by their positive comments and will proceed accordingly. At this year’s annual members' meeting, BOD President Dr. Steven Gilbert shared his vision to develop a business plan for a dedicated Chanoyu Center and endowment. We will share these plans as they unfold. At the summer Board of Directors' meeting we welcomed new members Ms. Miya Shimada and Mr. Kazuyuki Murata, both Waseda University graduates. Ms. Shimada studied eastern religion, Buddhism in particular, and is currently working for Amazon.com. Mr. Murata owned an architectural practice for many years while teaching interior design at Cornish College. He will serve as the treasurer and liaison for the endowment and center development. Thank you once again for your continuing support. Sincerely, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Seattle Branch July 18, 2002 autumn/2002, Version 1.7 Urasenke Foundation of Seattle 2002 presents Autumn's Tapestry: Momiji Tea Gathering Saturday, October 12, 2002 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Shoseian Teahouse, Japanese Garden Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle AUTUMN'S TAPESTRY features Chanoyu, the Japanese Art of Tea that weaves threads of nature and art including architecture and landscape, cuisine and ceramics, calligraphy and textiles in an unforgettable experience that will be savoured long after the final sip of tea is gone. AUTUMN'S TAPESTRY is set against the backdrop of the Japanese Garden, resplendent in brilliant fall colors, and famous throughout the region as the premier urban destination for viewing autumn foliage. With a demanding schedule, Seattle Branch has the opportunity to present Tea in the Japanese Garden just twice annually, as part of its mission to share the spirit and culture of this unique art form and its rich 400-year history. For more information or reservations for AUTUMN'S TAPESTRY or to purchase tickets for $25, contact the Urasenke Branch at 206.324.1483. Co-sponsoring Organizations: Arboretum Foundation Hyogo Cultural Center Japan-America Society Japanese Garden Advisory Council Japanese Garden Society Seattle Asian Art Museum Thank you once again for your continuing support. Sincerely, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Director Urasenke Seattle Branch August 28, 2002 autumn/2002, Version 1.8 Urasenke Foundation, Seattle Branch Presents "The Spirit of Tea" December 15 (Sun), 2002, 12:30-3:30pm at Seattle Branch The First in a Series of Workshops*: TEA as a Spiritual Path "TEA and Being in the Moment" Guest Presenter: Stanley Block MD, author of "Bridging the I-system: Unifying Spirituality and Behavior" (White Cloud Press, March 1, 2002) Special guests, Stanley and Carolyn Block, will lead this workshop to help us "bridge Spirituality and Behavior" based on theories presented in Dr. Block’s recent book. The workshop is a simple, interactive, and playful process that allows the participant to understand the interplay of the spiritual world with one’s everyday life. It is intended to help us open ourselves to being in the moment throughout the day, one of the ultimate goals of Tea practice. All workshops open with zazen and close with the service of tea. $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Space is limited. To reserve a space please send a check to the Urasenke Foundation, Seattle Branch. Deadline December 13. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. *With our mission to promote Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquility through Tea, "The Spirit of Tea" workshop series explores the values of Chanoyu from many aspects including Spiritual, Artistic, Social and Ritualistic, and their application in our everyday life. "The Essence of Chanoyu Lies Precisely in What Isn’t Chanoyu" (Fuhakuhikki, 1783) By deeply contemplating this statement, the 1st workshop in the series will focus on the values of Chanoyu from a spiritual perspective. Our intention is to develop and promote an understanding of the practice of Tea in a manner and form that can be readily adopted by Americans. mm 11/01/2002, Version 1.9 12/01/2002, Version 1.10 |