Daisōshō SEN Genshitsu Visits Seoul
By invitation of So. Korea’s Chung-Ang University (CAU), Daisōshō SEN Genshitsu made a visit to Seoul November 13 (Wed)–November15 (Fri), 2024, where he presented a special lecture on the theme “Korea-Japan Chanoyu Exchange” at the university.
Courtesy Call on CAU Provost PARK Kwang-yong
Daisōshō, on the 14th (Thu), met with CAU Provost PARK Kwang-yong preceding the lecture. Provost Park expressed words of welcome and also of gratitude for the contributions that Daisōshō has made to the university.

Special Lecture
The special lecture by Daisōshō was held in the International Conference Room at the CAU Graduate School, and had an audience of approximately 150 students and individuals connected with chadō. Opening words were presented by the head of the Institute of Japanese Studies, KWAK Eun-sim, and then the dean of the College of Humanities, LEE Kyung-soo, addressed Daisōshō with a celebratory speech.
In his special lecture, Daisōshō looked back on the history of tea in Japan and Korea, which share the same cultural background. He talked about the expressions “pardon me for going first,” “please go ahead,” which the guests say to each other, explaining that “this kind of tea sharing which is mutually respectful and considerate is not only helpful for moving forward in our lives, but is also helpful for building a world free from differentiation and discrimination.” CAU Professor Emeritus PARK Jeon-yull served as the translator. The audience, which filled the room to full capacity, listened with keen enthusiasm.

In addition, a scholarship was awarded to a student in the Department of Japanese Language, from the “Grand Master Sen Genshitsu Special Scholarship” fund established at the university in 2009, through a donation from Daisōshō.

Following the lecture program, attendees were served a bowl of matcha by members of the Urasenke Tankōkai Seoul Association, at the tea service area that had been arranged.

Courtesy visit to H.E. MIZUSHIMA Koichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Korea
In the afternoon of the 14th, Daisōshō met with H.E. MIZUSHIMA Kōichi and wife at their official residence, and they had a friendly discussion about the history of cultural exchange between Japan and Korea that has taken place through both countries’ Way of Tea, and other topics.
