Consulate Activities
2025/10/29
2025 Consul General’s Commendation on UH Center for Japanese Studies and Way of Tea Club
Representatives from the University of Hawaii Center for Japanese Studies
Several Members of the UH Way of Tea Club
On October 24th, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu presented the Commendation of the Consul General to the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, Center for Japanese Studies and Way of Tea Club.
The Center for Japanese Studies is one of eight area studies centers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. It has contributed significantly to the study of Japan across academic disciplines at the University of Hawaiʻi. The Center regularly conducts outreach, develops exchange programs, administers the Dr. Genshitsu Sen International Way of Tea Center and provides Japan-related academic opportunities. Similarly, the Way of Tea Club at the University provides students an opportunity to practice the Urasenke Chado (tea) tradition. Chado, a Japanese cultural tradition involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha tea, is regarded as one of Japan’s most important traditions due to its influence on Japanese art, architecture, politics, philosophy and business.
During the award presentation, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama offered his congratulations and recognized the role each has played in furthering the ties between Japan and Hawaiʻi and the U.S. During his remarks for the commendation to the Way of Tea Club, he expressed his condolences to the late Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the 15th Generation Grand Master of the Urasenke Chado Tradition and a pivotal figure to both the Way of Tea Club and the Center for Japanese Studies. He praised the efforts of Dr. Sen, who made it his life’s work to foster peace by engaging with people around the world through the tea ceremony. In his remarks to the Center for Japanese Studies, he acknowledged the contributions the center has made in strengthening understanding and friendship between Japan, Hawaiʻi, and the United States in academia and the local community.
Ms. Akiko Ono, a lecturer at the University of Hawaii and Way of Tea Club Instructor, accepted the commendation on behalf of the Way of Tea Club. In her acceptance speech, she expressed great appreciation at receiving the commendation, the influence Chado has had in shaping Japanese culture and echoed the Consul General’s remarks about the lasting impact of Dr. Sen. Ms. Akiko praised her students for not only taking the time to practice Chado but also in carrying out the legacy of Dr. Sen.
Dr. Mark Levin, a Professor of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi and the Director of the Center for Japanese Studies, accepted the commendation on behalf of the Center. In his speech, he expressed his appreciation and honored the over 100 year legacy of Japanese Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi. Dr. Levin reaffirmed the Center’s continued commitment to its mission of supporting and promoting Japanese studies and to the pursuit of academic freedom.
The Center for Japanese Studies is one of eight area studies centers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. It has contributed significantly to the study of Japan across academic disciplines at the University of Hawaiʻi. The Center regularly conducts outreach, develops exchange programs, administers the Dr. Genshitsu Sen International Way of Tea Center and provides Japan-related academic opportunities. Similarly, the Way of Tea Club at the University provides students an opportunity to practice the Urasenke Chado (tea) tradition. Chado, a Japanese cultural tradition involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha tea, is regarded as one of Japan’s most important traditions due to its influence on Japanese art, architecture, politics, philosophy and business.
During the award presentation, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama offered his congratulations and recognized the role each has played in furthering the ties between Japan and Hawaiʻi and the U.S. During his remarks for the commendation to the Way of Tea Club, he expressed his condolences to the late Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the 15th Generation Grand Master of the Urasenke Chado Tradition and a pivotal figure to both the Way of Tea Club and the Center for Japanese Studies. He praised the efforts of Dr. Sen, who made it his life’s work to foster peace by engaging with people around the world through the tea ceremony. In his remarks to the Center for Japanese Studies, he acknowledged the contributions the center has made in strengthening understanding and friendship between Japan, Hawaiʻi, and the United States in academia and the local community.
Ms. Akiko Ono, a lecturer at the University of Hawaii and Way of Tea Club Instructor, accepted the commendation on behalf of the Way of Tea Club. In her acceptance speech, she expressed great appreciation at receiving the commendation, the influence Chado has had in shaping Japanese culture and echoed the Consul General’s remarks about the lasting impact of Dr. Sen. Ms. Akiko praised her students for not only taking the time to practice Chado but also in carrying out the legacy of Dr. Sen.
Dr. Mark Levin, a Professor of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi and the Director of the Center for Japanese Studies, accepted the commendation on behalf of the Center. In his speech, he expressed his appreciation and honored the over 100 year legacy of Japanese Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi. Dr. Levin reaffirmed the Center’s continued commitment to its mission of supporting and promoting Japanese studies and to the pursuit of academic freedom.
Dr. Levin receiving the Commendation
Several Members of the UH Way of Tea Club