Consulate Highlights
Lecture on the history of Tea of Warriors（Samurai）and performance of the Tae Ceremony
On 25 September，a lecture on the history of Tea of Warriors，Samurai，and performance of the Tea Ceremony were held at the residence of the Consul General of Japan in Jeddah.
After the introductory brief speech given by H．E．Mr．Toshimitsu Ishigure，Consul General of Japan in Jeddah，Mr．Akira Matsura，Grand Master of Chinshin-ryu Tea School and 41st head of the Matsura Family，which ruled Hirado fiefdom as a feudal lord during the Edo Period，delivered a lecture on the history of Tea of Warriors．He explained the history of Tea Ceremony which originated in China and was introduced to Japan，Zen Buddhism as a foundation of Tea Ceremony，the custom of performing Zen and Tea Ceremony among warriors，the difference between warriors and commoners，the importance of Tokonoma（alcove）in the tea room，the way of serving the guests as a once-in-a-lifetime chance，the origin of Chinshin-ryu School and its activities，etc．Following the lecture，Mr．Osamu Matsura，son of the Grand Master，performed the Tea Ceremony and 3 guests，who sat on the tatami mattress，were treated with Japanese style cakes as well as tea prepared by Mr．Osamu Matsura．All the guests were eagerly listening to the lecture and were gazing attentively at every move of the perfomance．
At the reception，which was held in the garden of the residence after active questions and answers，many guests surrounded the Grand Master and his son and had pleasant talks with them with respectful looks．Many guests greatly admired the luminous explanation of the Grand Master and the excellent performance of his son．
According to historical records，the ancestor of the Matsura Family is Prime Minister Minamoto no Tooru who was the 18th son of the 52nd Emperor Saga whose reigned over the country from 809 to 823 A．D．
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| Speech be H.E.Mr.Ishigure,Consul General | Lecture by Mr.Akira Matsura,Grand Master | Performance by Mr.Osamu Matsura |
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| Questions and Answers | H.E.& Mrs.Ishigure and Mr. & Mrs.Matsura | Reception |