16 January 2026: Hatsugama Tea Ceremony Reception
2026/1/16
On January 16, Ambassador Kano hosted a Hatsugama Reception at his Residence, on the occasion of the New Year. Pr. El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO, Ambassadors from various countries, and other distinguished guests attended the reception.
Mr. Mori Soyu, President of the Franco-Japanese Association for the Tea Ceremony, organized the tea ceremony at the reception. Guests experienced the first Tea Ceremony of the year, while reflecting on the words of the late 15th Grand Master of the Urasenke School, Dr. Sen Genshitsu, who passed away last year: “Peacefulness through a bowl of tea.” Traditional Japanese New Year dishes, osechi, a representative example of washoku, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013, were also served.
Speech by Ambassador Kano (PDF)
Mr. Mori Soyu, President of the Franco-Japanese Association for the Tea Ceremony, organized the tea ceremony at the reception. Guests experienced the first Tea Ceremony of the year, while reflecting on the words of the late 15th Grand Master of the Urasenke School, Dr. Sen Genshitsu, who passed away last year: “Peacefulness through a bowl of tea.” Traditional Japanese New Year dishes, osechi, a representative example of washoku, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013, were also served.
Speech by Ambassador Kano (PDF)