2023 Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival Souvenir Booklet

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The Urasenke Hilo Association participates at the festival by offering Chanoyu, the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Chado, The Way of Tea, is based "on the simple act of boiling water, making tea, offering it to others and drinking of it ourselves." Powdered macha tea is used, which is whipped into hot water and served "with a respectful heart while received with gratitude." The Urasenke Hilo Chapter was established in 1971 and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. It meets and teaches regularly at the landmark Shoroan Tea House on the beautiful grounds of Lili`uokalani Gardens in Hilo. Urasenke, which has a head office in Kyoto, Japan, has branches around the world. Through the practice and experience ❑f Chanoyu, each person seeks to attain the four essential virtues. They are "wa," which is harmony; `kei" is respect, "sei" is purity and "jaku" is tranquility or the peace of mind that comes with the realization of the first three principles of the philosophy of wabi, meaning quiet or sober refinement. To many people, the Japanese tea ceremony seems Like a maze of complicated and seemingly meaningless gestures that make a fuss over the common place activity of enjoying tea. However, it is thought if time is taken to personally experience the Japanese tea ceremony, one will find all elements of the ceremony combine to focus all five senses on the immediate experience. The ceremony, in turn, can briefly draw the participant's mind and spirit away from the rush of everyday life. The llrasenke Hilo Association invites festival goers to be a guest at traditional chanoyu and enjoy the serenity of a bowl of tea. This year's ceremony will be at the Kamuela Hongwanji and scheduled times will be listed on the 2023 Festival Activity Lineup distributed at venues during the festival.