On November 17, 2024, the Urasenke Tankokai Los Angeles Association held its annual Sotanki memorial at the Nichiren Beikoku Betsuin in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. It was a beautiful tribute to Genpaku Sotan Koji (1578-1658), 3rd Generation Grand Tea Master of the Sen family. 43 guests and participants joined in this event.

The Kucha ceremonial offering to Sotan Koji was hosted by Mme. Sohin Robinson shachu. Teishu was Ms. Somi Uyehara and hanto was Ms. Mika Sumida. Guests were Mme. Soho Morikami, Ms. Soshin Kawamura and Ms. Sochi Ohshima. Hanayose (flower arrangement) ceremony was conducted by Ms. Sowa Miyake, Ms. Sokei Masciandaro, Mr. Soho Duffey, Mr. Soki Umbriaco and Mr. Clyde Long de Lugo. One by one, beautiful, seasonal flowers were arranged from a variety of vases.   

Hanging in the tokonoma was a scroll written by Fukumoto, Sekio, “Kanzashite shofu wo kiku” and translates into “Sit still listening to the sound of the pine through the wind”. A bowl was offered, and all the participants silently put their hands together to Sotan Koji.

Sanyu no Shiki demonstration was organized by Mme. Somitsu Korin and performed by her students and narrated by Mr. Soho Duffey. This complex tea exercise included flower arranging and incense sharing along with the unpredictable tea positions based on the random selection of tiles.

The memorial ended with a wonderful feeling of calmness and sense of respect for one another.