Tea service at UNESCO headquarters (Paris)

This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO Constitution and the 75th anniversary of Japan’s application for membership in UNESCO.

On June 24, a reception was hosted by the Permanent Delegation of Japan to UNESCO, on which occasion I was honored to be entrusted with conducting a tea gathering. At that time, with the approval and generous support of the late Grand Master Hōunsai Sen Genshitsu, who then served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, I had the privilege of offering tea.

This occasion followed that earlier gathering.

In October, a new Director-General was elected, and I was once again entrusted with presenting tea at a highly significant reception held at UNESCO Headquarters, marking the beginning of the organization’s new leadership.

The previous reception was held at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris; this time, the setting was UNESCO Headquarters itself.

With former Directors-General, Presidents of the General Conference, Chairpersons of the Executive Board, ambassadors from numerous countries, and many other distinguished guests in attendance, this reception was, needless to say, an extremely important opportunity to strengthen Japan’s presence and visibility within UNESCO.

I have had the privilege of conducting tea gatherings at many Japanese diplomatic missions overseas, but this occasion required an unprecedented level of care and attention. It was, without question, one of the most significant tea gatherings I have ever undertaken.

For the hanging scroll, I displayed “Wa-Kei-Sei-Jaku” (和敬清寂), the four fundamental principles of tea.

This calligraphy was written for me personally by the late Grand Master Sen Genshitsu when he was serving as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, on the occasion of his visit to Algeria, and he presented it to me directly.

The four characters Wa, Kei, Sei, and Jaku—known as the shiki, or the four principles of tea—express the fundamental spirit of the Way of Tea. At the same time, they encompass values that are important to all humanity, transcending national borders.

There is a phrase expressing the ideals of UNESCO:

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”

I feel a deep affinity between these words and the spirit expressed by Wa-Kei-Sei-Jaku.

Among the distinguished guests on this occasion were Mr. Khaled El-Enany, the newly appointed Director-General of UNESCO, elected with the support of Egypt, as well as Ambassador Koïchiro Matsuura, the eighth Director-General of UNESCO and the first Japanese national to hold the position.

It was an extraordinary honor to have them present.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Ambassador Kanō, Minister-Counsellor Shiratori, and all the members of the Permanent Delegation of Japan to UNESCO for their generous support and assistance.

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have served tea at such a meaningful occasion, where the spirit of Japanese tea could be shared in a setting dedicated to peace, culture, and international understanding.