Tea Ceremony at the Eiffel Tower — Japonismes 2018

To commemorate 160 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and France, we held a tea ceremony at the Salon Gustave Eiffel, a hall on the observation level of the Eiffel Tower, in conjunction with the illumination of the Eiffel Tower in the colors of the Japanese flag.

The event was regarded as one of the central cultural events of Japonismes 2018, the national cultural project celebrating 160 years of friendship between Japan and France.

At the evening reception, we were honored by the presence of Ambassador Yutaka Kitera and Mrs. Kitera, the President of the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, a representative of the Eiffel family, Mr. Nakayama, Director of the Japan National Tourism Organization in Paris, and Mr. Maeda, President of Tokyo Tower, who each offered gracious words of congratulations.

During the tea demonstration, we had the honor of presenting five bowls of tea to our guests.

Among the distinguished guests were the Ambassador of Singapore to France and his wife, Minister Higuchi of the Embassy of Japan in France and his wife, the Count of Breteuil and his wife, representing the Marquis of Breteuil, the Countess of Martel, Mr. François Espinas and his wife from the Palace of Versailles, and Mr. Laurent Bouy from Chartres Cathedral, together with many other distinguished guests.

We were also honored to have Mr. Takenaka, Executive Managing Director of Shochiku Co., Ltd., propose a toast in a theatrical Kabuki style, incorporating a promotion of the Shochiku Grand Kabuki, then being performed at the nearby Palais de Chaillot.

There were also distinguished guests from both Japan and France who attended privately. Out of respect for their privacy, I shall refrain from mentioning their names here. Their presence was an extraordinary honor, and I remain deeply moved by the privilege of having welcomed them.

This project was nine months in the making. Working personally with institutions and organizations in both Japan and France, we were ultimately able to bring it to fruition thanks to the wholehearted cooperation of the Eiffel Tower and Tokyo Tower, as well as the generous support of fifteen companies, including Le Bon Bentō, Paris Toraya, Shinjuku Seishōen, Mitsubishi Chemical Cleansui, Yamamoto, and Global Heart.

A special exhibition of Kamakura-bori lacquerware by Hakuko-do, whose works had been exhibited at the World’s Fair held at the time of the Eiffel Tower’s construction, added a particularly meaningful dimension to the event. Booths presented by the Japan National Tourism Organization and Tokyo Tower also greatly enhanced the occasion.

For the tea gathering, I displayed a framed calligraphy personally bestowed upon me the previous March by Hōunsai, the former Grand Master of the Urasenke school. I also created the tea setting around works by four artists belonging to the Association Franco-Japonaise pour la Cérémonie du Thé, incorporating their works into the exhibition and the tea gathering record.

The event was made possible in large part through the powerful support of Mr. Kanetaka Sōchō of the Urasenke Tankōkai Berlin Association and his fellow practitioners, our fellow members of the Urasenke tradition living abroad.

Without Mr. Sugai’s support, I do not believe this project could have been realized. I will never forget the kindness he showed in personally transporting from Berlin the authentic tatami mats, the Misonodana tea stand, and the simple handmade alcove that he had prepared himself. I shall remain grateful for this kindness for the rest of my life.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Mandy Shūdō, who repeatedly came to our rescue during the many crises that arose in the course of organizing the event and who kindly served as acting representatives of our French office, as well as to our secretariat in Tokyo, whose steadfast support was invaluable.

Above all, this event would never have been possible without the unwavering support of the participating artists. To me, these are people whom I would describe as friends for whom one would willingly lay down one’s life.

Finally, I was blessed to have the support of my teacher, who has been like a parent to me and who first taught me the joy of the Way of Tea. He traveled to Paris himself and stood beside me throughout the event, making it possible for me to reach this day.

Thanks to a wonderful surprise from the Eiffel Tower company, which illuminated the tower magnificently for the occasion, the tea demonstration became somewhat more spectacular than originally envisioned.

Yet at precisely 8:00 p.m., when the Japanese-flag illumination, known as “Les Lumières du Japon”, began—the very illumination that His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince had inaugurated by switching on the lights the previous day—I had the extraordinary honor of performing tea ceremony beneath the glow of the Japanese colors.

I believe that moment was one of the most precious moments of my entire life.

To everyone who contributed to and supported this project, I extend my heartfelt and deepest gratitude.