| The next day, September 24, a commemorative ceremony was held at the event patio of the National Museum of History at Chapultepec Castle. It was preceded by an awards presentation function, recognizing those members in Mexico and South America who have shown long years of devotion to Urasenke chado and who have made particularly notable contributions to Urasenke in their region. The Special Awards from Dr. Sen went to Roberto Soki BEHAR, current president of the Urasenke Tankokai Mexico Association; the late HIRAOKA Chiyoteru, founding president of what is presently called the Urasenke Tankokai Peru Association, whose relatives were present to accept the award; and Norma YOKOHAMA-MONTELATICI, founding member and current president of the Urasenke Tankokai Argentina Association. The special guest at the main ceremony was First Lady Marta SAHAGUN de Fox, whom Dr. Sen a year previously had made tea for in Tokyo, at the State Guest House in Akasaka. She sat on the stage together with Sr. Behar, Dr. Sen, and the Japanese Ambassador to Mexico, NISHIMURA Mutsuyoshi, with his wife. Following their addresses, a representative of the Urasenke Tankokai Mexico Association came to the podium and read the convention proclamation. Finally, as everyone watched on, Dr. Sen prepared a bowl of tea for Sra. Sahagun and Ambassador Nishimura. |
