The day of Sado (tea ceremony) Kyojo (admission letter) presentation.
8 months old son vigorously moved around and it was hardly possible to take a photo of holding him in my arms.

　A while ago, I was granted Sado Kyojo (admission letter), which I have practiced for a long time. This is a photo with my son on the day of the presentation of Kyojo. Originally, it was to be held in spring but due to COVID19, it was postponed to autumn, and the presentation was held safely. If it was held in spring, as I was still in my postpartum care period and I was somewhat anxious in attending the presentation. However, due to COVID-19, and it was postponed to autumn, I was fully able to recover my health. I was truly thankful to be able to take photo holding my son in my arms wearing kimono in this auspicious event.

　Kyojo presentation held at Chashitsu (tea house) of Iemoto (the head of Ensyu-ryu), was held with carefully thought-out preventive measures against COVID19, and it inspired me to contemplate on the way of succeeding the culture to the new era. First of all, I was surprised to see Iemoto appeared wearing the face-sealed. The fact that there is a plastic item in Chashitsu was unpredictable – and what is more, the one who is wearing it is Iemoto indeed. I felt ashamed to realized that I was unconsciously obsessed by the fixed idea and forgotten the heart of newly living the culture myself.

　In Ensyu-ryu Sado, the written teachings of the founder “Kakisute no Fumi” is valued and in the formal occasion such as Kyojo presentation, all those present shall read it aloud. In this writing, the state of the way of Chanoyu (tea ceremony) is written, and there are following words.
“Furuki dogu totemo Sono mukashi wa Atarashi (Even an old tea-thing, in the past it was new),” “Atarashiki totemo Katachi yoroshiki wa Sutsu bekarazu (Even a new tea-thing, if its shape is beautiful then it should not be discarded).”

　These words make us realize that in Chanoyu world, though it is assumed that older the tea-thing is, it is considered precious even if it is broken, and new tea-thing is underrated even if it is beautiful, and what is the good thing, which shall remain over the times. However, it is not only in the tea-thing, but it also seems to suggest the meaning of the culture to remain.

　The year 2020 is the time the way of the society itself is forced to reform in the crisis of the whole world. Precisely, with the spirit of Onko chishin (learning from history), I would like to positively adopt even the new way, which conforms to the present society and harmonize it with the ancient culture. Among them, if I could find beautiful thing and the way, which shall remain long, this indeed shall form the future culture. I myself would like to regard this stormy world not negatively but grasping it as the chance to create the new era and culture by our hands.