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Former prime minister heads delegation for visit to Hakone Tea ceremony is planned, followed by champagne reception
By Steve Enders
Hakone Gardens has had thousands of visitors over its 80-year history, but probably none as honorable and as distinguished as the one who is coming later this month.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa will visit the gardens Saturday, March 20, and take part in a tea ceremony in the garden's Cultural Exchange Center.
Afterward, he will lead a unique opportunity to openly discuss traditional and contemporary Japanese cultural issues before a champagne reception in Hakone's lower house. Later that evening, Hosokawa will dine with a group of Silicon Valley CEOs.
Hosokawa has had a long and distinguished political career in Japan, and is also the 18th head of the House of Hosokawa. His grandfather, Prince Fumimaro Konoe also served as prime minister during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
From 1993 to 1994, Hosokawa followed in his grandfather's footsteps and capped his career by serving as the 35th prime minister of Japan, before surprising his country and retiring from politics altogether. He is remembered in Japan as a widely popular politician, who attempted to make broad political reforms and halt corruption while in office.
He was also the youngest person ever to be elected to the Diet, or national legislature, and held office as governor of Kumamoto Prefecture before becoming prime minister.
According to Shizue Tomlinson, Japanese liaison for Hakone Foundation, Hosokawa's visit has been made possible with the help of Kiyoshi Yasui, a personal friend of Hosokawa from Kyoto, Japan.
Tomlinson said that Hakone has never had such a high profile group of visitors, adding that various other Japanese dignitaries have also been invited to the event.
Yasui, who will be attending the March 20 event with his daughter, has also been instrumental in shaping what Hakone is today. He helped master gardener Jack Tomlinson develop a vision for the gardens during the 1970s.
Another honored guest at the reception will be Dr. Morihito Nagai, who provided much of the funding for Hakone's Cultural Exchange Center, and will be staying at Hakone during his visit here.
The three guests will sit with Hosokawa during the tea ceremony, which will be hosted by Santa Cruz resident Stewart Lenox. Lenox comes from the Omote Senke tea school, as does Hosokawa. The school originates from teachings during the 16th century, Lenox said.
Although he's from Omote Senke, Japan's second largest tea school, Lenox said he'll conduct the ceremony to be all-inclusive. His friend Randy Weingarten will do the Tamae, or tea making, and comes from the Ura Senke school, an offshoot of Omote Senke.
"The world of tea is to show respect and consideration between the host and guest, and to form a sense of communion," Lenox said. "It's to forge a common purpose between all who come."
Lenox explained that Japanese tea ceremonies are Zen-like in nature, much like Japanese martial arts. The teas also encompass contemplation of all Japanese art forms, he said, which are carefully infused into the ceremonies.
During the ceremony, Lenox will be assisted by his wife, Sakae Fujita, who will tend to the 60 or more guests who will also take part in the ceremony from the Cultural Exchange Center's viewing room.
To take part in the March 20 ceremony, discussion and champagne reception, the Hakone Foundation is requesting a $35 donation. Space is limited, and proceeds will benefit the foundation. To register, call Shizue Tomlinson at 255-6345. Hakone Gardens is at 21000 Big Basin Way in Saratoga.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
