Through the Eyes of the former Consul General Yamada (June, 2017 - July, 2020)
2018/11/16
Flowers at the Official Residence and Imperial Decorations
（1） Flowers at the Official Residence
As we move further into autumn, we are welcoming an increasing number of guests to the Official Residence. This year marks 112 years since the house, which is now the Official Residence of the Consul General, was built. It is a historic building even for Seattle. Completed in 1906, it was first home to Mr. William Chappell, who, after his success in the Alaskan Gold Rush, started a power company in Seattle. The house changed hands several times over the years before becoming the Official Residence of the Japanese Consul General in 1980. I have been asked to write a column about the hospitality we extend at the Residence. This time I would like to focus on the flowers.
The residences of heads of foreign missions serve as an event space to promote business and friendly relations and to host guests from many fields. We try to create a pleasant atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on our guests; one of the most important elements is the flower arrangement.
These are pictures of flower arrangements from some recent receptions. They were all arranged by Weni Kenfe, the steward of the Official Residence. According to her, it is just her own self-taught style, but in terms of quality wouldn’t you agree that they appear as if made by a professional florist? On the buffet table, the flowers are arranged higher so as not to get in the way of the guests as they serve themselves food. Care is taken to match the season and the purpose of the event, with other decorations added to more ornate arrangements for grand occasions.
Here are some table flowers from a recent dinner. The arrangement features warm colors reminiscent of autumn and is supplemented with origami celebration cranes and other seasonal decorative items. The table runner in the center is made from an old kimono sash, resewn by my wife. After being used, flowers are stored in our refrigerator to be reused in new arrangements for the next dinner.
Larger flower arrangements and various Japanese-style decorations are done by my wife. One of her hobbies is arts and crafts, and for this year’s New Year’s celebration she made a decorative papier-mâché lion mask, shown above. The second photo is a springtime flower arrangement. After the end of a long winter, one can sense the delight for the coming spring from the lilacs and cherry blossoms that are picked from the garden of the Official Residence.
（2） Ikebana International
On October 18, the Seattle branch of Ikebana International held a gathering at the Official Residence, and the pictures below feature work by its members. Wouldn’t you agree that these truly beautiful ikebana arrangements are the creations of true specialists?
（3） Mary Hammond Bernson’s Decoration Ceremony
On October 12, a decoration ceremony was held for Mary Hammond Bernson in recognition of her more-than thirty years of service promoting teacher-exchange activities between Japan and the United States while at the University of Washington’s Jackson School and supporting the JET Program. Around eighty guests, including her family, colleagues at the UW, and JET Program alumni, attended to celebrate her achievements. As a JET Program screener, Ms. Hammond Bernson has helped to send over 2,000 “young American ambassadors” to Japan who have served as bridges between Japan and the U.S. during their time working for local schools and governments around the country.
The large flower arrangement on the left is by my wife. The table flowers on the right are placed in pumpkins carved by Chef Masuko. The flowers in the pumpkins were also arranged the steward Weni, making this a collaboration by Official Residence staff. The uniquely-shaped pumpkins accompanying the arrangements were gifts from a farmer.
Next time, I think I’ll write about the ghosts and the amusing lanterns that appeared at the Official Residence on Halloween.