Joint Tea Event
2019/2/26
On February 16th, the Embassy of Japan and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China organized a Joint Tea Event at Chinese Embassy Hall. This was the third tea-related event following "Japanese Tea and Hospitality" on January 24 and Tea Ceremony Demonstration by Chadô Urasenke Tankôkai on January 26 to increase interest and further understanding of Japanese tea culture. This time, we presented the development of two countries’ tea cultures that influenced other parts of the world in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy.
In his remarks, Ambassador Ishikane said that tea was brought from China to Japan in the 9th century, and the Japanese developed a unique tea culture. It also spread all over the world and blossomed in distinct diversities and made each culture richer. Chinese Ambassador H.E. Shaye Lu gave opening remarks and said that tea is a bridge for communication and we can understand cultures through tea.
The event started with a presentation about the history of tea in China and Japan by Mr. Jean LaRochelle, founder of World of Tea. To introduce Japanese tea culture, Ms. Sôkô Ueda, Urasenke Second-degree Instructor, demonstrated Japanese tea ceremony. Along with Ms. Ueda's elegant performance, Ms. Valerie Mespoulede gave a detailed explanation. The Chinese tea demonstration was subsequently presented. The audience could see the similarities and differences in each demonstration and understand the tea cultures which have been inherited in both cultures.
In his remarks, Ambassador Ishikane said that tea was brought from China to Japan in the 9th century, and the Japanese developed a unique tea culture. It also spread all over the world and blossomed in distinct diversities and made each culture richer. Chinese Ambassador H.E. Shaye Lu gave opening remarks and said that tea is a bridge for communication and we can understand cultures through tea.
The event started with a presentation about the history of tea in China and Japan by Mr. Jean LaRochelle, founder of World of Tea. To introduce Japanese tea culture, Ms. Sôkô Ueda, Urasenke Second-degree Instructor, demonstrated Japanese tea ceremony. Along with Ms. Ueda's elegant performance, Ms. Valerie Mespoulede gave a detailed explanation. The Chinese tea demonstration was subsequently presented. The audience could see the similarities and differences in each demonstration and understand the tea cultures which have been inherited in both cultures.
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| Ambassador Ishikane delivering remarks |
Ambassador Lu delivering opening remarks |
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| Presentation by Mr. LaRochelle |
Audience listening to the presentation |
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| Tea demonstration by Ms. Ueda |
Tea offered to Ambassador Lu and his wife |
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| Ms. Mespoulede giving explanation |
Chinese tea demonstration |
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| Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikane enjoying Chinese tea | Q&A Session |