Druga polovica junija prinaša čas, ko se zrak zmehča, svetloba postane polnejša, poletni veter pa nosi občutek tihe zrelosti. V čajni tradiciji ta občutek lepo povzema zengo 薫風自南来 (Kunpū jinan rai) — »dišeči veter prihaja z juga«. Ta izraz ne govori le o letnem času, temveč tudi o nečem, kar dozori počasi, skoraj neopazno, in vendar globoko zaznamuje prostor. Prav takšen pomen nosi tudi spomin na posebno priznanje, ki ga je prejelo naše društvo, ko letos obeležujemo svojo 10. obletnico delovanja.
Dne 26. oktobra 2023 je bilo na rezidenci veleposlanika Japonske v Ljubljani društvu Chadō Urasenke Tankōkai Slovenija slovesno podeljeno odlikovanje ministra za zunanje zadeve Japonske za prispevek k promociji japonske kulture v Sloveniji in k poglabljanju prijateljstva med Japonsko in Slovenijo. Odlikovanje je predsednici društva dr. Tanji Roženbergar izročil Nj. eksc. veleposlanik Japonske v Republiki Sloveniji g. Hiromichi Matsushima. Za naše društvo je bil ta trenutek več kot zgolj priznanje za opravljeno delo. Bil je tudi tiha, a jasna potrditev, da pot čaja v Sloveniji že vrsto let pušča sled, ki jo je mogoče prepoznati tudi na najvišji ravni.
Ta sled se ni začela leta 2023. Začela se je mnogo prej — leta 2006, ko so se v Slovenskem etnografskem muzeju v Ljubljani pod vodstvom dr. Paule Braga Šimenc začeli prvi redni tečaji čajne poti. Iz študijske skupine, ki je skozi leta vztrajala v učenju, vadbi in javnem predstavljanju čada, je postopoma zrasla skupnost. Prelomni trenutek je nastopil leta 2016, ko je Slovenijo obiskal Hōunsai Daisōshō in je bila ob javnem dogodku The Japanese Way of Tea slovesno vzpostavljena slovenska podružnica šole Urasenke. Istega leta je bilo društvo tudi formalno ustanovljeno kot 110. čezmorska podružnica Urasenke.
Če danes, ob 10. obletnici društva, gledamo nazaj, lahko jasno vidimo, da odlikovanje iz leta 2023 ni osamljen dogodek, temveč del širše zgodbe. Ta zgodba vključuje redna o-keiko srečanja v Slovenskem etnografskem muzeju, javne predstavitve na Dnevu Japonske, sodelovanja z muzeji, knjižnicami in drugimi ustanovami, študij članov v programu Midorikai v Kjotu ter vztrajno prizadevanje, da bi bila čajna pot v Sloveniji predstavljena ne le kot estetska oblika, temveč kot prostor discipline, zbranosti, gostoljubja in miru.
Posebej pomenljivo je, da je društvo po prejemu odlikovanja svojo hvaležnost izrazilo tudi skozi nadaljnje delo. V letu 2024 je pripravilo hvaležnostni chakai in fotografsko razstavo Ichi-go Ichi-e: Trenutki na poti čaja v Sloveniji (2006–2024), ki ni bila le pogled nazaj, temveč tudi dokaz, da se vrednost čajne poti vedno znova uresničuje v konkretnem srečanju, v deljenju sklede čaja, v učenju in v odnosu do skupnosti.
Ko praznujemo 10. obletnico društva Chadō Urasenke Tankokai Slovenija, zato na to priznanje ne gledamo kot na vrhunec, po katerem bi se pot zaključila. Nasprotno: razumemo ga kot obvezo. Kot nežni poletni veter tudi priznanje ne prihaja zato, da bi nas ustavilo, temveč da bi nas spodbudilo k nadaljnjemu delu — k poglabljanju prakse, k še bolj kakovostnim javnim programom, k utrjevanju sodelovanj z institucijami in k ustvarjanju novih priložnosti, da se duh čaja dotakne ljudi v Sloveniji.
Ob tej priložnosti izrekamo iskreno hvaležnost vsem, ki so soustvarjali to pot: učiteljem, članom, podpornikom, Slovenskemu etnografskemu muzeju, Veleposlaništvu Japonske v Sloveniji, prijateljem društva doma in v tujini ter vsem, ki so v zadnjih letih s svojo prisotnostjo, delom in zaupanjem pomagali, da se je čadō v Sloveniji lahko razvijal.
薫風自南来.
Ko z juga zaveje dišeči veter, nas spomni, da najbolj dragocene stvari zorijo tiho. Tako je tudi s potjo čaja: korak za korakom, skleda za skledo, srečanje za srečanjem. In prav v tej tišini nastaja prostor prijateljstva, spoštovanja in miru, ki ga želimo negovati tudi v prihodnje.
Commendation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan for Chadō Urasenke Tankōkai Slovenia Association’s Exceptional Contribution to the Promotion of Japanese Culture in Slovenia
The second half of June brings a particular kind of stillness. The air softens, the light deepens, and the season seems to mature almost without announcing itself. In the Way of Tea, this feeling is beautifully expressed in the zengo 薫風自南来 (Kunpū jinan rai) — “a fragrant breeze comes from the south.” It is an image of early summer, but also of something that ripens quietly over time and leaves a lasting impression. As Chadō Urasenke Tankokai Slovenia celebrates its 10th anniversary, this phrase feels especially fitting for reflecting on a milestone of profound importance in the life of our association.
On 26 October 2023, at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan in Ljubljana, Chadō Urasenke Tankōkai Slovenia was formally presented with the Foreign Minister of Japan’s Commendation in recognition of its contribution to the promotion of Japanese culture in Slovenia and to the deepening of friendship between Japan and Slovenia. The commendation was handed to the President of the Association, Dr. Tanja Roženbergar, by H.E. Mr. Hiromichi Matsushima, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Slovenia. For our association, this moment was far more than a ceremonial distinction. It was a quiet yet powerful affirmation that the Way of Tea, cultivated with care in Slovenia over many years, has become a meaningful bridge of cultural understanding.
That bridge, however, was not built in a day. Its roots reach back to 2006, when the first regular tea practice sessions began at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum in Ljubljana under the guidance of Dr. Paula Braga Šimenc. Over time, a dedicated study group took shape — one grounded in practice, study, public presentation, and fidelity to the spirit of Chadō. A decisive turning point came in 2016, when Hōunsai Daisōshō visited Slovenia and the public event The Japanese Way of Tea marked the ceremonial establishment of the Slovenian branch. In the same year, the association was formally founded as the 110th overseas representative of the Urasenke school.
Seen from the perspective of our 10th anniversary, the 2023 commendation was not an isolated honor, but part of a larger and continuing story. That story includes regular o-keiko at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, public presentations at Japan Day, collaborations with museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions, the study of members in the Midorikai program in Kyoto, and a sustained commitment to presenting the Way of Tea in Slovenia not only as an aesthetic form, but as a disciplined and humane practice of hospitality, attentiveness, and peace.
It is especially meaningful that the association responded to this recognition not with self-congratulation, but with renewed work. In 2024, Tankokai Slovenia organized a gratitude chakai and the photographic exhibition Ichi-go Ichi-e: Moments on the Way of Tea in Slovenia (2006–2024). This was not only a retrospective, but also an embodiment of the very values the commendation acknowledged: continuity, sincerity, public cultural service, and the ability of a single shared bowl of tea to open a deeper space of encounter.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of Chadō Urasenke Tankokai Slovenia, we therefore do not regard this commendation as an endpoint. Rather, we understand it as a responsibility. Like the fragrant summer breeze of the zengo, it does not ask us to stop, but to continue — to deepen our practice, strengthen the quality of our public programs, expand our institutional partnerships, and create new opportunities for the spirit of tea to be encountered in Slovenia.
On this occasion, we express our heartfelt gratitude to all who have helped shape this path: our teachers, members, supporters, the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, the Embassy of Japan in Slovenia, our friends at home and abroad, and everyone whose trust, dedication, and presence have made it possible for the Way of Tea to take root and flourish here.
薫風自南来.
A fragrant breeze comes from the south. It reminds us that the most meaningful things mature quietly. So it is with tea: bowl by bowl, meeting by meeting, year by year. In that quiet continuity, a space of friendship, respect, and peace is formed — and it is that space we hope to keep nurturing in the years to come.
茶道裏千家淡交会スロベニア協会のスロベニアにおける日本文化普及への顕著な貢献に対する日本国外務大臣表彰
在スロベニア日本国大使館 – 茶道裏千家淡交会スロベニア協会への日本国外務大臣表彰の授与について
六月も後半に入りますと、光はいっそうやわらかく深まり、季節は静かに次の表情へと移ってまいります。茶の湯のことばでは、その趣を 「薫風自南来（くんぷう じなんらい）」 と申します。南より薫る風がそっと吹きわたるさまを表す禅語であり、同時に、長い時間をかけて育まれたものが、ある日ふとその意味をあらわしてくるような趣も感じさせます。茶道裏千家淡交会スロベニア協会が創立十周年を迎える本年、このことばは、私どもにとって誠にふさわしい響きをもって胸に迫ってまいります。
2023年10月26日、リュブリャナの在スロベニア日本国大使公邸におきまして、茶道裏千家淡交会スロベニア協会 は、日本文化の普及ならびに日本とスロベニアの友好親善の深化への貢献を認められ、日本国外務大臣表彰を賜りました。表彰は、当協会会長タニャ・ロジェンベルガル博士に対し、在スロベニア日本国大使より授与されました。私どもにとりましてこの栄誉は、単なる式典上の出来事ではなく、長年にわたりスロベニアの地で大切に育んでまいりました茶の湯の歩みが、静かに、しかし確かに届いていたことを示す尊いしるしでございました。
もっとも、この歩みは一朝一夕に築かれたものではございません。その源流は2006年、リュブリャナのスロベニア民族博物館におきまして、パウラ・ブラガ・シメンツ博士のご指導のもと、茶の湯の学びとお稽古が始まったことに遡ります。以来、学び、稽古し、伝え、分かち合う営みが少しずつ積み重ねられ、一つの確かな共同体が形づくられてまいりました。そして2016年には、鵬雲斎大宗匠のご来訪を仰ぎ、公開行事 The Japanese Way of Tea を節目として、スロベニアにおける裏千家の歩みが大きく開かれました。同年、当協会は正式に設立され、海外百十番目の裏千家支部として新たな一歩を踏み出すこととなりました。
このように振り返りますと、2023年の表彰は、単独の出来事ではなく、長年の実践の積み重ねの中に位置づけられるものだと、あらためて感じております。スロベニア民族博物館での定期的なお稽古、Japan Day における一般公開の呈茶や実演、博物館・図書館・各種文化機関との協働、京都におけるみどり会での研鑽、そして茶道を単なる美的表現としてではなく、もてなし・節度・敬意・平和の精神として社会にひらいていこうとする不断の努力――その一つひとつが、この表彰へとつながる道でございました。
また、表彰をいただいたのち、当協会がその喜びを次の活動へと結び直してまいりましたことも、私どもにとって大切な意味をもっております。2024年には、感謝の茶会と写真展 「一期一会 ― スロベニアにおける茶の湯の歩み（2006–2024）」 を開催いたしました。これは単なる回顧ではなく、茶の湯が一碗のお茶を通して人と人とを結び、出会いを文化の営みへと育てていく力を、あらためて確かめる機会ともなりました。
十周年を迎える本年、私どもはこの外務大臣表彰を、到達点としてではなく、むしろ新たな責務として受けとめております。薫風が人を急かすことなく、それでいて確かに季節を進めてゆくように、この表彰もまた、私どもに歩みを止めることではなく、さらに稽古を深め、公開事業の質を高め、諸機関との連携を育み、スロベニアにおいて茶の心に出会う場をいっそう豊かにしてゆくことを求めているように思われます。
この節目にあたり、今日までの歩みをお支えくださいましたすべての皆様に、心より御礼申し上げます。ご指導くださった先生方、会員の皆様、長年ご支援くださった関係者の皆様、スロベニア民族博物館、在スロベニア日本国大使館、国内外のご友人の皆様――多くの方々のお力添えがあってこそ、茶の湯の種はこの地に根づき、今日の姿へと育まれてまいりました。
薫風自南来。
南より薫る風は、もっとも大切なものが静かに育つことを教えてくれます。茶の湯もまた、一碗一碗、一期一会の積み重ねの中で、その真価をあらわしてまいります。これからも私どもは、敬意と感謝をもって、この小さくも確かな風を未来へとつないでまいりたいと存じます。
