Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Chanoyu Tea Ceremony at the IHF Women’s Handball World Championship 2019

Various tea schools, including the Mokichi Okada Art and Culture FoundationKumamoto Branch, Higo Ko-ryu, Omotesenke, Urasenke and Mushakōjisenke, gathered at the main venue of the “2019 Women’s Handball World Championship” held in Kumamoto Prefecture from November 30 to December 15, 2019. About 200 guests from Japan and abroad were welcomed and enjoyed a tea ceremony.
 
During that 4-day period, a copy of the “Red and White Plum Blossom Screen,” a national treasure, and MOA Kohrinka flower arrangements were displayed in the VIP lounge, and an English translation of Mokichi Okada’s essays on beauty were provided. The visitors enjoyed matcha tea during the tea ceremony. We obtained positive comments such as, “The atmosphere becomes brighter with flowers” and “I have seen the real Red and White Plum Blossom Screens at the MOA Museum of Art.” Hassan Moustafa, chairman of the International Handball Federation, also enjoyed the matcha tea and said, “It’s very delicious. I’m glad to be able to experience Japanese culture.” Governor Ikuo Kabashima and Mayor Kazufumi Onishi of Kumamoto also visited and enjoyed the tea ceremony.
 
This tea ceremony was planned at the request of a prefectural assembly member, who participated in a tea ceremony held at the foundation’s Kumamoto Branch in March 2019, and was realized with the cooperation of the prefectural government and the prefectural cultural association.