International Friendship Group Kamogawakai which has been engaging in international exchange activity for 20years visited Sanseian on September 29th in 2004. Unfortunately typhoon 21 hit Kyoto city on that very day. Three Kamogawakai Coordinators, Mrs.Imai, Mrs. Ueno and Mrs.Tsuji had visited Sanseian previously in order to go over the direction to Sanseian and survey the Sanseian compound. They prepared the program so participants could enjoy it in a relaxed atmosphere at Sanseian compound, which was a contrast to typhoon outside.

Kamogawakai had an opportunity to visit Sanseian by special grace of the 6th Generation Headmaster Kouraku Ogawa.. unfortunately 9 foreign applicants out were unable to attend due to fierce rains of the unexpected typhoon. 21Japanese and 11 foreign participants were able to attend the ceremony at Sanseian. The participants were from U.K., Taiwan, China, U.S., Spain, and Australia. The participants were from various walks of life: a graduate research student at Kyoto University, a student of Kyoto Foreign Language University, a photographer, a visiting research fellow at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, an ink painter, and an instructor of English. Each has resided in Japan for various periods of time. A variety of people happened to participate in the program. Regrettably, we had neither knowledge of　Sencha tea ceremony nor experience of Sencha tea party. Although we were afraid that our visit might have been ill-timed due to the storm and novices attending, the headmaster and his pupils offered us a warm welcome. They performed two kinds of Sencha rituals in different rooms. Elegant tea rooms were arranged with decorations for viewing the harvest moon. The harvest moon was on the 13th day of the 9th lunar month. I appreciated that we could enjoy the tea party at not only one but two different types of tea room. All of us were impressed by the sweet tea which was extracted by elegant rituals. We had an opportunity to listen to the story of well-devised rituals of Ogawa school and we could relax and feel comfortable meeting warm-hearted headmaster who talked sincerely to each participant. The headmaster and his pupils extended their genuine hospitality and courteous attention to us during our visit.-Hospitality is what Kamogawakai regards as the most precious item and prides itself on its hospitality. ? There was a feeling that I could have experienced genuine hospitality in Ogawa school. The members of Kamogawakai and foreign guests have been all basking in the afterglow of the blissful moment at Sanseian, and still are today. I would like to explain about activity of Kamogawakai briefly. It is a volunteer club which was established about 20years ago in order to offer a helping hand to the foreign students who studied in Japan. The visit to Sanseian was numbered 193rd visit. The numbers of all participants from its creation right up to this visit stands at more than 5000. Our program varies from the experience of Japanese tradition, visiting companies of traditional industries along side of sophisticated companies. We also hold home parties, lectures and to music concerts. We would like to introduce Japanese aspects from various points of view through these programs. We are now in a world which is suffering from war. We wish to consolidate relations of friendship and trust with people from various nations in the world and engage in a grass roots activities. Proceeds from a bazaar will cover all the costs. The cooperation of other organizations will help us to perform programs like Ogawa school. We are financially independent from any other organization. In closing, I would like to attach the comments of foreign guests in order to express our appreciation. I would like to thank you all for everything.

「Ｇｕｓｅｇｕｘｉａｎｇ」means to preserve the classical atmosphere till now in Chinese. I pay a visit to Sanseian on the day of the harvest moon. I have been studying ink paint for many years. With the heart and wills as one of literati I entered the tea room of China. I had a keen interest in the Chinese style room. I was enchanted by the elegant atmosphere and the beauty of the classic decoration and also by the austerity of the utensils. Everything was sophisticated. I admired the well ?devised rituals. I savored a drop of sweet ,fresh tea and became refreshed. Tea is the in-thing. The tea of Ogawa school extends beyond the boom. Tea is in-thing. Thanks to Ogawa school, I had an extremely enjoyable experience. It has been succeeded from generation to generation for more than 200 years.

I liked the friendly atmosphere of Sen-cha; the decor and implements were elegant and the ritual seemed much less heavy and formal than those of Chado. The aroma and taste of the gyokuro tea were astonishing?I was reminded of malt whisky from Isla, or vintage Sauternes, or first flush tea from Pi-Lo-Chun. I wonder why more people don’t know about this fascinating tradition.

For the longest time I had been trying to find out about the"sencha tea ceremony." 　I had made phone calls to the International House of Kyoto, but they said that they only gave demonstrations of "sado." 　My curiosity kept　growing. Therefore, when I received the invitation from the　Kamogawa-kai, I was delighted. 　This was really a discovery for me. I was surprised at this　enclave of 'Chinese inspired' tea drinking -- from the yin-yang　design on the cups and coasters, to the legged chairs and　room design. I found the way of pouring the tea at rapid　speed quite intriguing.　 I also thought it interesting how little tea the guests are actually given in this tea ceremony.　The message seemed to be to "experience" tea (its spirit　or essence) rather than to 'drink' it. But since it was a tea school that also formed in reaction against the formality　of sado, I expected that it would be very relaxed. However,　it is also quite but in a different way. I think that it would be　useful to learn this style because it can have immediate practical results since sencha is an everyday tea (unlike　macha). Tea now seems a world unto itself -- "ocha no　sekai" and it would be fun to learn more. 　Thank you again for letting me participate in this most unique ceremony. Now I can tell others about it.