21st August 2015

Conferment of the The Japanese Ambassador's Commendation Award
on Fuden-An So-Jitsu Kobori
The 13th Grand Master of the Enshu School of Tea

  
  The Ambassador of Japan to Singapore was conferred The Ambassador's Commendation Award on Fuden-An So-Jitsu Kobori, the 13th Grand Master of the Enshu School of Tea on 21st August 2015. This Commendation is presented to the 13th Grand Master of the Enshu School of Tea in recognition of the Grand Master’s significant contributions toward the cultural exchange and mutual understanding through tea between Japan and Singapore especially in regards to his contribution to NUS for the past 25 years.


In April 1989, the 12th Grand Master of the Enshu School was part of a Government cultural representative to Singapore involved in the “Japanese Festival” which was organised as part of the inauguration ceremony for the Ambassador’s new residence which saw cultural interactions with many Singaporean dignitaries including late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. This contributed to the start of the activities of Enshu School of Tea in Singapore.


In October 1989, NUS has invited the Grand Master to start the Tea Ceremony Classes at NUS. Since August 1990, teachers were dispatched from Japan three times a year  (In March, August and December) to teach NUS students and this year, celebrates its 25 years of their teaching. The 13th Grand Master So Jitsu Kobori has been involved since the start as the Director of International Relations (as Deputy Grand Master) and has visited Singaproe every August to teach the students himself. Today, 21st of August, NUS and Enshu School of Tea celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a special event at Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, NUS University Town, and Ambassador Haruhisa Takeuchi conferred the Ambassador's Commendation Award on Fuden-An So-Jitsu Kobori, the 13th Grand Master of the Enshu School of Tea.

The Grand Master also endeavors to organise classes for tea for young children in Japan as well as in Singapore. Grand Master visited MOELC in August last year as well as to Kranji Secondary School just yesterday as part of the outreach programme to introduce traditional art of tea through tea demonstration. Japan Creative Centre (JCC) will be showing the documentary “My Father is a Grand Master” at JCC Cinema tomorrow on 22nd August 2015 where tea will also be served.

This Commendation is awarded to individuals who have made long-term contributions to promoting the relations with Japan.

Fuden-An So-Jitsu Kobori
The 13th Grand Master of the Enshu School of Tea


Born on September 17, 1956 as the eldest son of So-Kei Kobori, the 12th Grand Master of Enshu School of Tea. Graduated Gakusyuin University, Law Faculty in 1979. He entered zen training under the supervision of Rev. Isei Fukutomi, the 518th Head Reverend, Daitokuj-ji temple and received a Buddhist name, SO-I, in 1981.

He became Deputy Grand Master in 1983. In 2001, he received a Buddhist name, Fuden-An and So-Ji, from Cheif Abbot, Daitoku-ji temple Settei Fukutomi. In 2002, He assumed the 13th Grand Master of Enshu School of Tea.

 

His motto is “to enrich people’s mind through way of tea.” He makes efforts to preserve value of traditional arts and enrich spiritual culture. He endeavors to organize classes for tea for young children to high school students, “Enshu Children’s tea Class”.

He is also active overseas. He regularly teaches at Singapore National University and currently advises National Anthropology Museum in Holland regarding construction of a tea house and a tea garden. In addition, he has travelled to USA, CAnada, UK, France, Germany, Holland, Astray, China, India, Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Egypt in order to demonstrate way of tea.