My recent activities [May 2017]

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

A third of the year has passed already. It has been a while so I would like to share my agenda for the month of March.
1st: I gave lessons to my disciples. Apart from the time spent hosting a few visitors, I found myself all day in the training room. It is quite refreshing for the mind.
2nd: After giving lessons to my disciples, I attended an executive board meeting of the Gakushuin School Parent Association Standing Committee at ten o’clock. This was the last meeting of the school year. I am grateful to all the executives for their efforts throughout the year. In the evening, I did physical exercises. Once home, I trained in the art of tea.
3rd: After receiving visitors in the morning, I attended a Rotary Club meeting of the Tokyo South Exit Club. As I am a director of this club since June, I have a lot of things to do in this capacity. Following this, I gave lessons to the Bunmeikai association.
4rd: From noon, I attended an alumni meeting of the Gakushuin Primary School held in the Chinzanso Hotel. Prior to that I offered tea to my old school mates for the first time since graduating. In the evening, I left for Kyoto.
5th: I attended a commemorative ceremony of Enshu in Kobori district of Nagahama. The ceremony was held at Enshu’s birthplace. I returned to Tokyo. From Tokyo Station, I went directly to the Kabuki Theater to see a friend’s performance.
6th: A meeting in the morning. In the afternoon, a meeting of the Meirekikai association. In the evening, I organized a tea ceremony for the benefit of the Rotary Club.
7th: I gave tea lessons to my disciples throughout the day except for a session where I hosted a few visitors.
8th: Trained disciples. In the afternoon, I went out to attend a meeting of the Gakushuin School Parent Committee.
9th: Trained disciples. Trip to Osaka and Kobe to teach disciples.
10th: I returned to Tokyo around noon. Without delay, I went to attend a regular meeting of the Rotary Club. Physical exercises.
11th: Visited the barbers. Once home, until two o’clock in the afternoon I signed diplomas for disciples of the Enshu school who were promoted. At three o’clock, I went to the Tokyo Arts Club to prepare for the next day.
12th: The 371st tea ceremony in memory of Enshu, which brought together 650 visitors. Each session involved a wonderful combination of materials.
13th: From the morning until three thirty in the afternoon, an executive committee meeting of the Enshu Sado Federation and a meeting of the branch directors. Afterwards, I attended the opening of an exhibition of Raku Kizaemon's work at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. The exhibition is titled "Cosmic space in tea bowls". Mr. Raku and I shared a laugh about how the title sounds like a television documentary made on my school that should be released on the 19th of this month. I met Mr. Hidetoshi Nakata, former football player and had a chat with him.
14th: Disciples training. I then travelled to Kanazawa to give lessons to members of the Kanazawa Mahokai Association.
15th: Transfer to Nagoya. In this city, I gave lessons to members of the Nagoya Mahokai Association.
16th: Returned to Tokyo, I gave lessons to my disciples. I was absent for some time to do physical exercises. Returned home, I continued the lessons until the evening.
17th: I attended a graduation ceremony at Gakushuin Middle School. In the afternoon, I wrote certificates for students of Enshu school.
18th: I trained the tea ceremony of shindaisu. In the meantime, I attended a graduation ceremony at Gakushuin Elementary School and the reception and was moved by the school children’s emotional and innocent tears.
19th: I trained Shindaisu. In the meantime, I attended a graduation ceremony at the Gakushuin Women's University. From noon, I watched the television documentary about myself on BS Japan. I thought the content was good but I appeared tired on the screen. Now that I am in my sixties, it is difficult not to get tired.
20th: Travelled to Fukuchi in Fukuoka Prefecture to give a lecture on the occasion of the inauguration of a library and a historical museum. This city is the place where Agano pottery, which is very related to Enshu, is produced.
21st: I gave lessons to the members of the Konshukai Association of Fukuoka in the Enshu Tea House.
22nd: Moved to Nagoya. I was invited to a tea ceremony in the Tea house, Soutenan, of the Enshu Training Center.
23rd: Returned to Tokyo in the morning. I went to see Kabuki plays given on the occasion of the third anniversary of the passing of the actor Bando Mitsugoro, my close friend.
24th: Five morning-to-evening meetings related to Gakushuin School.
25th: Travelled to Nagoya to give flower arrangement lessons for the tea ceremony in the Teahouse, Soutenan, of the Enshu Training Center.
26th: Returned to Tokyo, I participated in a conference on Enshu organized in the Nissho Hall of the Japan Fire Brigade Assembly building.
27th: Attended a meeting of the Taishikai association. In the afternoon, moved to Nara and had dinner with the Governor of Nara Prefecture.
28th: I was honored to give tea ceremonies at Yakushiji temple.
29th: At noon, I gave a personal tea ceremony for the first time since the beginning of this year.
30th: Same as the 29th, I gave a personal tea ceremony at noon.
31st: A hairdresser appointment. A meeting of the Rotary Club. Dinner with a friend.

This is my entire schedule for March. It seems very busy but as I fulfill my daily tasks one by one and with dedication, I do not feel too overwhelmed.