Japanese Tea Ceremony at the Washington DC Peace Embassy

Tomiko Duggan
May 30, 2013
UPF Director, Office of Embassy Relations
Washington DC, USA

Washington DC, US -- On May 30, 2013 the temperature hit over 90 degrees. It was like a heat stroke covering the Washington, DC area. Nevertheless, for the guests the weather was not a barrier to enjoying the green tea that was prepared with the utmost care by the UPF staff and volunteers.

The Peace Embassy was graciously prepared with Japanese crafts and ornaments. The kimono was worn to show the guests Japanese traditional dress for this occasion.

H.E. Jean-Louis Wolzfeld, Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, who was stationed in Japan several years ago and experienced the traditional tea house there, enjoyed the ceremony here in the US. H.E. Christos Panagopoulos, Ambassador of Greece, brought his two daughters, Margarita and Dimitra, to experience an oriental tradition and the tea ceremony. H.E. Michael Moussa-Adamo, Ambassador of Gabon, liked the tea ceremony so much that he would like to host one at his residence in the fall and later at the Embassy as well. H.E. Winston Thompson and his wife, Queenie, from the Embassy of Fiji, were repeat guests, commenting, "We find a common tradition in both our countries."

Other diplomats who came for the first time learned how the tea was first introduced and became popular among all levels of the Japanese society beginning in the eighth century. Over one thousand years of the tea history has become a way of life to Japanese people, teaching how to bring peace, respect, purity and tranquility into our hearts.

A total of 53 guests from 22 embassies and UPF friends attended the Japanese tea ceremony.