Consulate General of Japan in Toronto

06/08/2026

Had the honour of speaking with President Takani of the Mitsui & Co. Global Strategic Research Institute. I felt that his visit, despite his busy schedule, was yet another testimony to the renewed interest in the developments in Canada under Prime Minister Carney's leadership. Thank you, Mr. Takani, for your visit.

06/08/2026

Ikenobo boasts a history of over 560 years, established during the Muromachi period.

Ikenobo Senko, the heir apparent next “Iemoto” (head of the school), states that "Ikebana is an expression of life itself." Of course, this includes beautiful flowers in full bloom, but also buds and flowers that are about to wither, which are treated as living things. Furthermore, not only green leaves, but also branches exposed to rain and wind, known as "shareboku," and even dead branches are all "life," and everything is wonderful, and each one is a form of life. Ikebana respects and depicts all states of life in this world, and life itself.

She once stated:

"Something very memorable happened the other day. I had previously given a potted mimosa to a friend. My friend transplanted it into her garden and carefully nurtured it until it grew so large it reached above the roof. However, it suddenly withered and died. But even in its withered state, it was incredibly beautiful. I arranged it as it was, without altering it too much. It's sad when a cherished plant dies, but I realized that what I could do was breathe life into that mimosa in its final moments and share it with everyone. I am only human, so even unconsciously, my physical condition and emotions at the time naturally show up in my work. Without trying to hide it, I want to simply convey the beauty of life."

A photo of this work using a withered mimosa can be found here:
https://www.ikenobo.jp/information/102210/

Reference:
Interview with Ikenobo Senko (January 9, 2025, METI Journal Online)
https://journal.meti.go.jp/hotperson/36572/

An interview with Senko, the next head of the Ikenobo school of flower arrangement: What role does ikebana play in modern society? / What is the mindset when arranging flowers? / Activities to spread ikebana overseas / Cherishing the beauty of negative space and the beauty of scarcity (December 2, 2024, Nikkei CNBC Official Channel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwR8e61qLUg

06/07/2026

Congratulations for the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Toronto’s 63rd Anniversary Flower Show💐! Kudos to Ms. Ichimori, the Society's president, other teachers including those who demonstrated their masterful skills today, students and volunteers for showcasing the aesthetics of this oldest and largest school of Japanese flower arranging, as well as for its broader and consistent contributions to bringing Japan 🇯🇵closer to Canada🇨🇦!

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

Had the pleasure of joining the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Guelph Budokan Centre Of Martial Arts. A large number of karate enthusiasts, students and family members of Mr. Mark Matthews, the Centre's founder, celebrated 🥂the milestone of this backbone of the community.

Ms. Dominique O'rourke, Member of Parliament, Mr. Mike Schreiner, Member of Provincial Parliament, and Ms. Linda Busuttil, Councillor of the City of Guelph graced this special event with their valuable presence.

It was thirty years ago, in 1996, that Mr. Mark Matthews established this Centre of Martial Arts as a dojo for practicing Goju-ryu karate🥋, affiliated with the International Meibukan Goju Karate Association (IMGKA).

Meibukan is a dojo founded in Naha City by Yagi Meitoku, the founder of Goju-ryu karate. It is a historic dojo that has attracted people from around the world as a place to learn authentic Okinawan karate, emphasizing the careful training of mind and body, and fostering personal growth through the development of manners and compassion.
The Guelph Budokan Centre of Martial Arts inherits the tradition and spirit of Meibukan.

Mr. Matthews is "kyoshi" with seventh dan. "Kyoshi" is a martial arts title bestowed upon individuals who possess not only high technical skills but also outstanding character and achievements as instructors. Kyoshi Matthews has instructed over 5,000 people and certified 100 black belt promotions. Two of his disciples, Mr. Kao Saechao and Mr. Roberto Vasquez, have opened dojos in the same region.

Mark sensei has dedicated himself to organizing Meibukan world and Canadian tournaments, and to realizing workshops with instructors invited from Japan. In 2024, he visited Cuba to teach karate as well.

He has emphasized character development, discipline, and self-growth through karate, carrying on the tradition and spirit of Okinawan karate pioneered by Yagi Meitoku. He also dedicates himself to promoting understanding of Japanese culture and traditions.

Currently, the Guelph Budokan Centre of Martial Arts offers karate classes for children and adults, as well as traditional Okinawan kobudo (weapon techniques) taught by Mr. Matthews himself.

We should also note that Mr. Matthews gives back to the community by donating to local children's funds and breast cancer funds.

I would like to commend Mr. Mark Matthews for his contributions to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Canada through the spread of karate. And I pray that the Guelph Budokan Centre of Martial Arts will continue to develop even further for the next 30 years!

06/07/2026

Hydrangeas bloom,
marking the season of new robes,
a faint light yellow.
- Matsuo Basho

06/07/2026

Hakusan Shrine is a beloved guardian shrine of Koishikawa in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. Every year in June, during the rainy season, the shrine grounds and the adjacent Hakusan Park are adorned with approximately 3,000 hydrangeas of various colors.

06/06/2026

Blooming hydrangeas herald the onset of the rainy season, which the Japan Meteorological Agency is expected to announce for the Kanto-Koshin region, including Tokyo, within the next day or two.

06/06/2026

Had the pleasure of joining lunch hosted by my Dutch colleague CG Marjan Schippers. We both know too well that the June 14th opening match in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States would not pose any hinderance to, but rather further galvanise, our ties which span as long as 426 years! His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress are planned to visit the Netherlands very soon. This summer Vermeer's masterpiece, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," owned by Mauritshuis, will be exhibited in Osaka - an opportunity so many Japanese are waiting anxiously. Our discussions over the lunch underlined that the two countries, both trusted partners of Canada, can continue to work closely for the benefit of these three!

06/03/2026

Had the honour of learning from Commodore Michael Barefoot, Commandant of the Canadian Forces College, and his team about Canada's professional military education in the evolving global security environment.