An Evening Tea Gathering at Tokyo Tower with Noriko Morishita and Hōsai Matsubayashi XVI

We held an evening tea gathering at Tokyo Tower, welcoming Noriko Morishita, essayist and author of Every Day a Good Day, and Hōsai Matsubayashi XVI, the 16th-generation head of the Asahiyaki kiln.

Among our distinguished guests were former Ambassador Osawa and his wife, as well as Ambassador Takeuchi, former Ambassador of Japan and former Director of the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris. We were also honored by the presence of teachers from the Minato Ward Ikebana and Tea Ceremony Federation, who have supported our activities over the years.

Despite being held on a Monday evening, the event attracted more than 110 guests—exceeding the venue’s capacity. We therefore held three sessions, including standing places for some of our guests.

A wide range of topics was explored through selected scenes from the film Every Day a Good Day, the final film featuring the late actress Kirin Kiki. These included behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the film, the qualities and sensibilities expected of a mature Japanese adult as cultivated through the Way of Tea, the similarities between teacher–student and parent–child relationships, and the philosophy of life that can be sensed through tea utensils.

There was also, for me personally, an amusing episode.

At the final sitting, my former superior and a senior colleague from my previous workplace came to the tea gathering, and my former superior took the seat of shōkyaku, the principal guest.

For the principal tea bowl, I had selected a piece closely resembling the tea bowl used in the film Every Day a Good Day—a work by Raku Ryōnyū IX. Naturally, this became a topic of conversation after the tea gathering.

I casually remarked:

“Yes, I bought it with my retirement allowance from my previous job. I worked hard for it.”

My former superior gave an awkward smile, and fortunately everyone around us burst into laughter.

However, after the gathering, I was surprised when he handed me his current business card. It seems I had, quite unknowingly, invited someone of a far more distinguished position than I had realized.

And so, joke though it was, I deeply—very deeply—regretted my careless remark.

……Although, judging by the fact that I have described it here as an “amusing episode,” I suppose I have not really learned my lesson.

Still, I was glad to have had the opportunity to show my former colleagues that I am doing well and enjoying life even after leaving the company.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who traveled from near and far to join us, and to all those who continue to follow and support our activities.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Noriko Morishita for accepting this project, to Hōsai Matsubayashi for so readily agreeing to my proposal, to Mr. Nagayō, master confectioner, for preparing the wonderful sweets, and to Mr. Horie of Parco Publishing, who assisted with the event’s operation.

My sincere thanks also go to Mr. Shimaguchi, an editor who has supported me over the years; Mr. Utonuma of Bungeishunjū for his interview and promotional support; as well as all the newspaper organizations and the team at FM Kazusa.

The members of the Tokyo Tower Tea Ceremony Club also played an important role and performed wonderfully throughout the event.