I attended Zen & Sake: A Fundraiser to Benefit Daihonzan Chozen-Ji International Zen Dojo on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. at Miyako Restaurant, 2nd Floor of New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. The food was very delicious with sake pairings to each dish. I met many business persons I be-friended over the years. Every dish and sake was announced by a different person and each person had to create a haiku poem and state it to the guests. Unexpectedly, I was asked to make a haiku for the dessert dish, which was zensai with vanilla ice cream, mochi, and a couple of pieces of mango.
I stated, “Since everyone in this room is full of peace and love. For the dessert, I decided to go deep into your souls. My haiku goes like this:
Stars sparkling up high
I see her smiling to me
Love and peace within
The person could be someone from the past, present, or future. And the person could be your family, friend, or lover. Thank you.”
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 