On Sunday, March 27, 2022, the annual Rikyuki was conducted at the Rafu Chuo Garkuen in the Meigetsuan Tearoom and by Zoom. Almost forty people, including Mme. Sonan Watanabe from the Urasenke Tankokai Orange County Association, participated in commemorating Rikyu-koji.
Mme. Soshin Robinson, our Chief of Administration, opened the event with gratitude to everyone for participating. Everybody had a moment of silence for the great tea master Rikyu-koji.
The head guest, Mme. Sochi Ohshima, entered the tearoom. Then, the hanayose started. After Mme. Ohshima offered the flowers, five instructors; Mme. Soka Becker, Mme. Sokei Kung, Mme. Masayo Sebata, Mme. Soketsu Guterres, and Mme. Sosho Ishizuka, showed their beautiful vased flowers over Zoom. Finally, the host, Mr. Soki Umbriaco concluded with his flowers.

During kucha, Mme. Soko Osumi (chief of tea instructors) offered narration. Thin tea (usucha) in a white tenmoku tea bowl were offered to Rikyu-koji at the alcove by the assistant, Mr. Soho Duffey. The Rikyu manju (a Japanese sweet) at the alcove was made by CoA Robinson. Everyone joined their hands in prayer.
After that, Mr Toshishiro Obata, the founder of International shinkendo (“the way of the real sword”), gave us a lecture about shinkendo, and Mme. Soko Osumi interpreted. He spoke of starting shinkendo, which has a bushido spirit, as well as a lot of philosophy based on his experiences. He also mentioned a relationship to history and chado. A Q and A session followed.
CoA Robinson expressed her gratitude in her closing remarks.