Press Releases
Awarding of the Prime Minister’s Award to Dr. SEN Genshitsu
(Statement by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa)
April 11, 2023
- I offer my congratulations on the decision to confer the Prime Minister’s Award to Dr. SEN Genshitsu, the 15th-generation Iemoto (Grand Master) of the Urasenke school of tea.
- For over half a century, Dr. Sen has been introducing Japanese culture, focusing on chado (way of tea; commonly referred to as the Japanese tea ceremony in English), and its spirituality to the world. In addition, he has devoted himself to spreading peace around the world through international cultural exchanges by way of chado, and as Japan-United Nations (UN) Goodwill Ambassador, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and others.
- The decision was made to award Dr. Sen in recognition of his achievements, which have contributed to the promotion of the key Japanese policy of peace diplomacy. I would like to express my deepest respect to Dr. Sen for his longstanding contributions.
(Reference)
Dr. Sen Genshitsu was appointed the 15th-generation Urasenke Grand Master in 1964 and transferred the position to his son, the 16th-generation Grand Master, in 2002. Dr. Sen has served as Japan-UN Goodwill Ambassador since 2005 and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador since 2012. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 20 at the Prime Minister’s Office.