Z Notes Blog by Jim Zumwalt
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Embassy Employees Experience Japanese Culture

Feb. 19 - Every year the Aoi-kai (the Embassy Employees Welfare Association) hosts a party to promote friendship between American and Japanese Embassy employees and to introduce American employees to Japanese culture.

This year's party was especially memorable. Association President Kenji Masuda, Ambassador John V. Roos, my wife Ann, and I helped launch the event by cracking open a large sake barrel in a ceremony known as "kagami biraki." Our auditorium was decorated with Japanese New Years battledores (hagoita), fans, calligraphy and traditional Japanese art.

Renowned calligrapher Shiro Saheki demonstrated his skill writing the character for "love" and then "shining spring" on a piece of gasenshi paper. His strokes were so bold and refreshing. When he offered Embassy employees the chance to write Japanese calligraphy with a brush, Ambassador Roos was the first to try.

In another room, some Embassy employees dressed in silk kimono demonstrated the tea ceremony. I very much enjoyed the chance to sit down and watch an elegantly dressed woman serve a Japanese sweet and prepare me a warm bowl of bitter green tea. Just outside, several people took turns pounding hot rice into mochi in a large wooden mortar.

A kimono teacher also came to help several American and Japanese women employees dress in silk kimono. We enjoyed wonderful food and drink, including Japanese sake and mochi and sweet beans, as two guest musicians demonstrated their talents in playing the koto and shakuhachi. Ann led the Embassy choir in singing a few songs. We all had a good time. The American employees who participated left with a deeper appreciation for the rich culture of Japan.

Until next time,

Jim

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