Mugenki, August 2025

Chado Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association Mugenki Tea Ceremony

The Chado Urasenke Tankokai San Francisco Association held its annual Mugenki Memorial Tea Ceremony on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai (Japanese American Association of Northern California) in San Francisco Japantown. This Mugenki honored the memory of Tantansai, also known as Mugensai, the 14th Tea Master of Urasenke.

The tea ceremony was hosted by Soyo Pusic and her students. Tea was prepared and served to 70 attendees over three separate seating sessions.

The first service began at 10:30 am with SAKAUE Sosei as teishu (host) and Soyo Pusic as hanto (assistant). Mr. OSUMI Yo, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, was the first guest; Mrs. OSUMI Misao was the second guest; and Sokyo Tiscornia was the third guest. The ceremony opened with hanayose, the offering of flowers by these three honored guests.

The second service held at noon, was hosted by Soko Liu Hase as teishu with Soyo Pusic again serving as hanto. The first guest was HAGIWARA Sojin, with URAMOTO Sokyu as the second guest and IWAO Somi as the third.

The third service took place at 1:00 pm with HOSHINO Michiyo as teishu and Soyo Pusic as hanto. Sokei Brevig was the first guest, YAMADA Sochi was the second guest, and KIMORI Sono was the third guest.

All who attended enjoyed a memorable tea ceremony, reflecting on the life of Tantansai and his many contributions to the Urasenke tradition.