Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for Akihiro Mochizuki, Chairman of Kaminari Taiko, and Midori Mochizuki, Chief Administrator of Urasenke Tankokai Houston
2024/1/6
Mr. Akihiro Mochizuki
Mrs. Midori Mochizuki
CG Murabayashi, Mr. and Mrs. Mochizuki, and main guests
On December 12, 2023, Consul General Murabayashi hosted a reception at his official residence in honor of Mr. Akihiro Mochizuki, Chairman of Kaminari Taiko, and Mrs. Midori Mochizuki, Chief Administrator of Urasenke Tankokai Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Mochizuki received commendations from former Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, in recognition of their distinguished contribution to the advancement of friendly relations between Japan and the United States of America.
Mr. Mochizuki founded the Japanese drumming ensemble, Kaminari Taiko, in 1996. For nearly 30 years, he has served as the chairman and led the ensemble in various activities, such as organizing Taiko workshops and performing in theatres and festivals. Mrs. Mochizuki founded Urasenke Tankokai Houston in 1993. As a Japanese tea ceremony master, she has organized countless Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations and workshops over the past 30 years.
At the beginning of the reception, Consul General Murabayashi emphasized how highly regarded Kaminari Taiko performances are among Houstonians. He also indicated that Japanese tea ceremonies have grown in popularity across Houston, owing to the efforts of Mrs. Mochizuki. He praised them for their long-standing effort to promote Japanese culture in Houston.
After sharing how they began promoting Japanese culture in the U.S. in the 1980s, Mr. Mochizuki articulated how grateful they are for the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. He added that they plan to continue their activities and engage in successor training.
Thirty-five guests were in attendance for the reception, including members of Kaminari Taiko and Urasenke Tankokai Houston.
Mr. Mochizuki founded the Japanese drumming ensemble, Kaminari Taiko, in 1996. For nearly 30 years, he has served as the chairman and led the ensemble in various activities, such as organizing Taiko workshops and performing in theatres and festivals. Mrs. Mochizuki founded Urasenke Tankokai Houston in 1993. As a Japanese tea ceremony master, she has organized countless Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations and workshops over the past 30 years.
At the beginning of the reception, Consul General Murabayashi emphasized how highly regarded Kaminari Taiko performances are among Houstonians. He also indicated that Japanese tea ceremonies have grown in popularity across Houston, owing to the efforts of Mrs. Mochizuki. He praised them for their long-standing effort to promote Japanese culture in Houston.
After sharing how they began promoting Japanese culture in the U.S. in the 1980s, Mr. Mochizuki articulated how grateful they are for the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. He added that they plan to continue their activities and engage in successor training.
Thirty-five guests were in attendance for the reception, including members of Kaminari Taiko and Urasenke Tankokai Houston.