Coming to a close[December 2015]

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

We now have only one month left in the year. Everyone says that a year flies by quickly but this was particularly the case for me this year.

The second half of 2015 was very busy due to visits abroad namely to Singapore, France and Germany, and as a result all other events planned during this period had to scheduled in a tight timeframe, requiring that I sometimes conduct two or three events a day.

However, despite this busy schedule, I am pleased to have been able to somehow accomplish my duties as a tea practitioner. From February to March, I was able to conduct three or four tea ceremonies a month, but after May, I had to give up several tea ceremony related duties due to having too many activities scheduled. I admit that I allowed myself to relax and conducted no tea ceremonies in June or July and this lasted until September.

I refocused my energy and conducted a number of tea ceremonies in October and November. I cannot conduct tea ceremonies alone and require the support of my family and my disciples. In addition, I believe that tea ceremonies that are conducted at home must exceed in quality those that are conducted elsewhere. It is not about comparing but we strive to achieve this every day. It was the wish of the founding father of ENSHU that we welcome our guests with the best hospitality.

I am determined to maintain this ambition throughout my life. I can tell from the way those around me work that they also share the same conviction. I do not mean to overly compliment my disciples but I do mean what I say. For this conviction I have my late father to thank, who at the age of 60 raised me to the rank of Deputy Grand Master and gave me lessons for a whole year on how to conduct tea ceremonies.

According to the zodiac signs, next year I too shall turn 60 and while times have changed, my conviction has not. I would like to welcome the new year having accepted with a great sense of gratitude all of the teachings I received from my father and all that I have learned from others until now.