Updated at 3:23 p.m., Saturday, October 20, 2007
UH events aimed at fostering peace in Asia, the Pacific
Advertiser Staff
The University of Hawai'i-Manoa is hosting two events, on Nov. 3 and 4, featuring international scholars, artists and influential leaders from China, Japan, Korea, Hawai'i and the Mainland U.S. to discuss traditional East Asian culture and its possible role in fostering peace and understanding in Asia and the Pacific.The events, organized by Chado Urasenke, are annual gatherings being held for the first time in Hawai'i in commemoration of the UH Centennial. It was held in 2004 in Tianjin, China, in 2005 in Seoul, Korea, and last year in Tokyo. Both events are free and open to the public but require advance registration.
Other featured speakers will be Dr. Wayne Farris, S_shitsu Sen XV Distinguished Professor of Traditional Japanese Culture and History; Tokumasa Miyagi, president of the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, speaking about Okinawan pottery; Dr. Xiao Li, assistant dean, Business School, China University of Political Science and Law, on "Court Tea Ceremony during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) Dynasties"; Dr. Herbert Plutschow, professor, J-sai International University, on "A Ritual Approach to the Study of Chanoyu"; Dr. Jeon-Yull Park, director, Institute for Korean and Japanese Culture, Chung-Ang University, on "Japan's Tea Culture in the Tearoom"; and Dr. Yukihiro Kurasawa, professor, Takarazuka University of Art and Design, on the philosophy of Wabicha.
The s will focus on traditional arts and culture, while the discussions on the second day will focus on cultural diplomacy (also known as "soft power"), which has become a key element of international relations within East Asia and between East Asia and the rest of the world. Though most of the speakers will give presentations in their native language, all sessions will include English interpretation.
Space is limited and pre registration is required through the Center for Japanese Studies: www.hawaii.edu/cjs
