Sellout crowd, greatly impressed. [Mar 2014]

KOBORI Sojitsu (the 13th Grand Master of the Enshu Sado School )

As you know, the film about my father “Iemoto, My Father” came out in Tokyo and Osaka on January 25th.

On the first day of screening, I was not able to attend the opening event at Shinjuku Theatre in Tokyo due to the year’s first tea ceremony in Fukuoka. My second daughter gave a speech at the event and it drew a full house, causing many to have to stand to watch the film.

When I heard what a success the first screening had been soon after the first tea ceremony session in Fukuoka, I was so grateful I was on the brink of tears.

On the first day of release, each showing had sold out. It has forged ahead and has even become a hit among films shown at mini theatres.

One week later on February 1st, I gave an opening speech at one of the showings. To be honest, I was a little worried whether people would still come to the theater as one week had already passed since release and the showing times had been brought forward. But my concerns proved unfounded.

There was a long queue from around 8:30 in the morning before the first showing. I was thankful as well as sorry for this so I decided not to enter the theatre before the film began to avoid any confusion.

It was the same situation in Osaka the following day and even though many people came to watch the film, the theatre had to ask some to leave due to insufficient standing room. It was all like a dream to me and at the same time I realized the potential for tea ceremony.

Looking at the people who came to watch the film, there were people who were involved in tea ceremony, regardless of the school, people who were not involved in tea ceremony at all, and a lot of young people. This reinforced my belief that Japanese culture could be one of the best things for Japan to export.

This film was filmed over three years and contains scenes from both our business and personal lives. I was very grateful that many people came to watch it.