On November 21, 2016, H.M. King Letsie III of Lesotho and his wife, Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso, came to the Kyoto State Guest House as part of their visit to Japan marking the 45th anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Lesotho. Upon their arrival, the royal couple was shown to the Yubae-no-ma room, where a welcoming tea gathering was held by SEN Makiko, daughter of Urasenke Iemoto SEN Soshitsu XVI, and IZUMI Koichiro, nephew of SEN Soshitsu XVI.
IZUMI Koichiro conducted the ryurei-style tea-making procedure, making use of a tea-making table (Misonodana). SEN Makiko gave an explanation of chado and commentary on the tea-making procedure and various tea implements employed, most of the time in English. Though the time for the tea gathering was very limited, the King and Queen seemed to have a pleasant, relaxing time. |
