The Japanese proverb, Ichi-go Ichi-e (literally, “one time, one meeting”), invites us to treasure the unrepeatable nature of a moment. That was the recent experience of Deidre Tegarden, Executive Director of Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC), who shared tea with the 101-year-old, fifteenth-generation Grand Master of Tea, Dr. Genshitsu Sen. He performed a special tea ceremony at the Wailuku Hongwanji to honor all who were lost during the August 2023 wildfires. It was both solemn and reflective as Dr. Sen presented tea to the altar. After the ceremony, attendees were invited to take tea and sweets in the community hall, hosted by Chado Urasenke Tenkokai Maui Association. 

“Prior to the ceremony, Dr. Sen greeted members of the audience, shaking hands and sharing conversation,” said Tegarden. “We had planned to gift Dr. Sen a box of 3-D architectural hand-drawn blueprints of Urasenke Tea rooms from across Japan. These drawings had been gifted to the NVMC by the estate of the late artist Emi Fukuzawa, and we thought perhaps they belonged back in Japan with the Grand Master, Dr. Sen.” 

When Dr. Sen saw the drawings, he became quite enthusiastic, pointing out names of his ancestors including one who helped to bring the tea ceremony to the greater community and make it accessible to those besides the nobility. The drawings date back 400 years and are considered National Treasures. 

“Dr. Sen insisted that the NVMC keep these historical documents in our archive for posterity,” Tegarden noted. “It is our privilege to be the caretakers of these precious items.” 

Chado, or “the way of tea,” is more than an artistic ceremony; it is a way of life with ethical and religious significance. The ideals underlying the way of tea are wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility). 

“The spirit of the way of tea has been imparted to people worldwide,” Tegarden added. “The expression, ‘peacefulness through a bowl of tea’ is the phrase that is used to express this goal. It is hoped that this knowledge will reach far and wide around the globe.”