From December 5-9, 2001, Grand Master SEN Soshitsu XV, Ph.D., made a trip to Singapore to commemorate the
initiation, in November 2001, of a credit class on chado at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The new
class -- a general studies elective entitled "Japanese Culture Through Chado" -- is the first credit class on
chado at a national university in Singapore. It is taught by WATAMIZU Soyu Nobuko, who holds a high credential
from Urasenke and is the executive manager of the Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association.
Dr. Sen arrived in Singapore in the evening of December 5, and the following morning he gave
a special lecture and chanoyu demonstration at NTU. Before it began, he met with NTU Deputy President ER Meng
Hwa, and presented a donation of money and books and audio materials to the university, towards the further
development of Japanese cultural studies at NTU.
The lecture and demonstration, sponsored by the Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association and
jointly organized by the NTU College of Engineering, was entitled "The Heart of Tea, The Heart of Japan."
More than 130 students and faculty attended, listening attentively to Dr. Sen's talk about the key concepts
of the Japanese Way of Tea. He explained that a bowl of tea embodies Nature, and when we drink the tea, we
realize that we too are a part of Nature. He also stressed that chado has no national boundaries, as its
ideals are equally relevant for all people.
|
