Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“This year I had the honor to travel to Tokyo and accept the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from Prime Minister Abe on behalf of the Emperor,” said former Speaker of the House John Boehner at the Residence of The Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Sasae on the occasion of the birthday of His Majesty, The Emperor of Japan. “In 2015, I had the honor of inviting Prime Minister Abe to the Capitol to become the first Japanese Prime Minister to address a joint session of Congress. Forty years before that though in 1975, President Gerald Ford became the first President to host an Emperor of Japan on a state visit to the United States. During that visit President Ford toasted His Majesty’s father Emperor Showa at the White House on October 2nd, 1975. President Ford toasted the friendship between the people of Japan and the people of the United States and to the artistry of Japan, the cherry blossoms that then lined the streets of Washington, DC, as they do now. The President said the Japanese emphasis on consensus and harmony in human relations influences the life of the American people. He went on to say, Japan’s part in architecture, in power, in prints, in its gardens, in its graciousness, have all enriched American life and thought. Here tonight we are rich and inspired in the manner which President Ford described. Certainly by the beautiful trees and the art that is native to your country, but most importantly by the grace of the friendship that exists between our two nations, and which today, some 40 years after President Ford hosted the Emperor at the White House, our relationship is stronger than ever. As we look ahead to the occasion of His Majesty’s 84th birthday, let us extend our best wishes for His Majesty on this wonderful, lovely day.”
John Boehner
Prior to Boehner taking the stage, Ambassador Sasae welcomed guests and invited us to visit several cultural rooms set up to showcase important elements of Japan culture: A traditional tea ceremony was conducted by Chado Urasenke Tankokai; an exclusive Bonsai tree exhibition by the Imperial family; an exhibition of Japanese contemporary paintings from Yuki and Japanese foods by Chef Daisuke Nakazawa from New York who was formally trained by Sushi master Jiro Ono who demonstrated the art of Sushi. Ono gained notoriety when Anthony Bourdain revealed where he would like his final meal to be before leaving this earth for good – “a small underground Sushi restaurant in Tokyo, Japan called Sukiyabashi Jiro,” he told the Guardian. “I think I’d prefer to die like an old lion—to crawl away into the bushes where no one can see me draw my last breath,” Bourdain wrote. “But in this case, I’d crawl away to a seat in front of this beautiful hinoki wood Sushi bar where three-Michelin starred Jiro Ono would make me a 22 or 23-course omakase tasting menu.” “Indeed, Bourdain’s love affair with Jiro—the famed, 90-year-old chef who served as the subject of the popular documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi—has been well-documented over the years. On the chef’s now defunct Travel Channel series, No Reservations, Tony traveled to pray at the altar of Jiro, devouring the master’s fish with the utmost care and concentration,” recounted the Guardian. It’s on our Bucket List!!!!!!
The art of Sushi
Ambassador Sasae
Among the honored speakers introduced by Ambassador Sasae was Justice Samuel Alito. “I extend warmest wishes and congratulations to his Imperial Majesty on the occasion of his 84th birthday on December 23rd. During the reign of Emperor Akihito, the ties between the United States and Japan have flourished and deepened. I would say just a few words about the aspect of the relationship between our two countries that is most relevant to my work – and that is, our countries share a firm commitment to constitutionalism, to the rule of law, and to the protection of human rights. As a college student, I became fascinated with the study of comparative constitutional law and I had great respect for the work of the Japanese Supreme Court which has served as a model for many nations around the world that have adopted new constitutions during the past 25 years and have followed the model of Japan and the United States in instituting the concept of constitutional review. More recently, Chief Justice Roberts visited Japan, three years ago, and when he returned he regaled us with stories of his visit. He had a most moving visit with Emperor Akihito and was extremely impressed by the gift you have with the Japanese people. And with the thought that you can never give too many toasts, I ask you to join me in an additional toast: Kampai.”
Justice Alito
