Soko Kobara and her late husband, Rev. Seiji Kobara established The Urasenke San Francisco Chapter (presently known as Chado Urasenke San Francisco Tankokai Association) 60 years ago, to introduce “The Way Of Tea” to the people in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Soko Kobara is a charter member and has been an adviser to The Chado Urasenke San Francisco Tankokai Association.
She has been teaching “The Way of Tea” for over 45 years in her tea room at her home in San Francisco. She teaches in both Japanese and English, from beginners to teacher level. Her tea room was named “Shiun- An” by the Urasenke 15tth Grand Tea Master.
She has received numerous awards from Urasenke Grand Tea Master in Kyoto (Oiemoto), San Francisco Counsel General of Japan, and SF Cherry Blossom Festival Committee.
In 2007, she received Chado Urasenke‘s highest title MEIYO SHIHAN (Distinguished Master) from present 16th Grand Tea Master (Oiemoto).
She was one of the first inductee into the BUNKA HALL OF FAME of Northern California Japanese American Association for her contribution to Tea Ceremony. She is the Urasenke representative in the Nichi Bei Kai Tea Society which promotes Japanese culture through Japanese Tea Ceremony.
She is also an accomplished Calligrapher with the artist name, Ranngetsu.
Soko Kobara Biography
In 1951, Soko Kobara met Hounsai Wakasosho in Seattle. He came to the United States for the first time to promote “The Way of Tea.”
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Tantansai, for the 1st Cherry Blossom Festival at Japan Cultural Center in San Francisco
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In 2006, Elected into the first Nichibei Kai Bunka Hall of Fame
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Prof. Soko Kobara has been teaching Chanoyu in the Bay Area for over forty-five years. During that time, she has been one of the most influential persons in spreading the practice of tea ceremony in this area. In 2007, Prof. Kobara was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Japanese Arts in San Francisco. In 2009, she received the title of Distinguished Master, Meiyo Shihan, from the 16th Grand Tea Master, Oiemoto Zabosai, of the Urasenke School. In April 2012, she received a special commendation from the Japanese Council General in San Francisco, for her tireless efforts in promoting Japanese culture in the United States.
(By Y. Kz.)
小原宗香（Soko Kobara, こばら そうこう）先生は、北米大陸においても数少ない名誉師範をいただかれたうちのお一人。茶道のみならず、仏教、華道、香道、書道、日舞、音楽などにも造詣が深く、現在より40年以上前よりサンフランシスコ・ベイエリアの地に裏千家茶道を根付かせ、広めたことで、サンフランシスコ支部発足の礎となった草分けでもあります。
2018年には小原先生の茶道指導五十年を祝い、宗香会主催で祝賀茶会が催されました。宇山サンフランシスコ総領事様、岡本SF淡交会副会長、バートレットSF裏千家出張所長、その他この地域で茶道を指導していらっしゃるSF淡交会の先生方を、濃茶席と薄茶席にお招きしました。小原先生は初心生涯の心で、五十年前の御茶名披露の際のお道具を再び御準備され、会員一同、この日のための準備を通してたくさんのことを学ぶことができました。お客様と共に小原先生のこの五十年の御功績を祝い、喜びと深い感謝を感じた茶会となりました。
(By T. M.)
ベイスポ 「ベイエリアで暮らす」2012年6月22日号掲載
『おもてなしの心を忘れずに』 小原和子さん