Saturday, April 21, 2007

FEATURE

By JANE REES

Never underestimate the power of a cherry blossom. Let it rain, let it snow and let winter winds blow. Never mind. This year the early blooming of sakura trees weathered the weather, hanging in there to herald the Cherry Blossom Charity Ball, major fund-raiser of the International Ladies Benevolent Society, held each spring at the Hotel Okura.

President of the ILBS this year is Kazuko Siazon, wife of the Philippine ambassador to Japan. Chairman of the CBCB was the newly arrived Ambassador of Colombia Patricia Cardenas, who took over from Luz Stella Sierra, wife of former Colombian Ambassador Sierra. The Sierras returned to Tokyo to be present at the gala. Also arriving from Bogota for a dance or two was Ambassador Cardenas' brother Eduardo and his wife, who was stunning in a shimmering pink gown.

Ambassador Cardenas' daughter Paula was one of the "Cherry Blossom Girls," charming young purveyors of raffle tickets.

HIH Prince and Princess Hitachi graced the evening with their presence.

Others at the head table were Mrs. Shintaro Abe, wife of the prime minister; Ambassador and Mrs. Siazon and Dr. and Mrs. Akira Misu (Keiko Misu was co-chairman of the ball).

An uplifting concert began the evening, exquisitely rendered by gifted pianist Kazuko Uzaka playing Schubert and Liszt. Then emcee Yoichi Kato proceeded with a rousing, "Play ball!" and the hair-raising NHK 3-D presentation with special effects beginning with the blast of a baseball seemingly headed straight into the audience. Yikes! After the fascinating scare of the homer, superb cuisine and fine wine were served (compliments to Okura Executive Chef Norio Negishi) and then came the dance.

Exhilarating makes-you-want-to-dance music by Brad Holmes and the Hitmen Onishi Band filled the spacious Heian-no-ma ballroom. First on the floor were the prince (who loves to dance) and his princess, swaying to the prince's favorite tune, "Moon River." They could have danced all night.

Former ILBS President (2003) Maria Anderson and her husband Ron flew in from Manhattan for the event. They have not missed a CBCB since moving to New York in 2004. Ron is a senior executive of AIU/AIG.

Tokyo's hostess with the most'ess Shizuko Tani, president, Sun Realty, took three tables for her friends. Including former Minister of State Hideyuki Aizawa, and his wife, the lovely actress Yoko Tsukasa, as always a fashion-plate. At the same table was the remarkable Croatian Ambassador to Japan Dr. Drago Stambuk, who holds an extensive medical degree and is also a philosopher and accomplished poet. Vivacious Mehtap Cumusay, president of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce, Japan, enjoyed the ambassador's poetry.

Another guest of Miss Tani was Misa Watanabe, president of Watanabe Productions, who was the lucky winner of a magnificent floral gold broach donated by Buccellati.

Seated at another Tani table were 12 golfers, including many who came from the U.S., Wales and Hong Kong. All had played and won in the Jiro Matsumura Tournaments, which had their final tournament in Cardiff, Wales, last September. Returning the trophy to its final home in Matsumura's former office in the Homat Homes, Homat Royal, was last year's winner, Barbara McGovern, whose husband Bill McGovern was the winner in 1998 at Palm Beach, Fla. Bill was senior partner of Price Waterhouse during his years in Japan.

Another Price Waterhouse alumni in the group was Tom Yamakawa, two-time winner, 1997 and 2001. Tom and his wife, Purita, now live in the Seattle area, in Bellevue, Wash. Also from the Seattle area, Stanley Holt, winner in 1993. Stan came to Japan in 1962 with Reader's Digest, later with Boyden Company. Stan and his wife, Lorna, now live on Mercer Island, Wash. Duncan Cameron, former president of Standard Chartered Bank, Japan, was the winner in 1994. He and his wife, Chikako, now reside in Cardiff, Wales. Chikako introduced fine Japanese cuisine to Wales in the restaurant bearing her name.

Yasuro Tachibana (Mitsubishi, was another two-time winner, 2002 and 2003.) Yasuro and his beautiful wife, Hisako, now live in Brownsville, Texas. Completing the winner's circle were former managing director of Kowa Real Estate Atsuhiro Kato, 1992 Hamano Fuji ace, Japan and Hiroji Suzuki, president of Kyoda Enterprises, Tokyo, and two-time winner, in 2000 and 2004.

Mrs. George Vajda, Junko, joined the golfers. She did not win, but her husband did. He could not make the trip from their home in La Jolla, Calif., but George won in 1987 in Miyazaki.

After the ball was over there were more festivities. Prime Minister Abe celebrated his "Beautiful Nation" party at beautiful Shinjuku Garden, inviting 11,000 guests.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitsuo Maruyama on the same day invited friends to lunch at Trader Vics. The yaezakura were in glorious full bloom along Shimizudani Park. Kimono designer Sadako Nagano was among the guests at the ball. She wore pink kimono with cherry blossom design.

Hostess Lilo Maruyama wore a fantastic gown at the ball -- a la Marie Antoinette. In the Orchid Room of the Hotel Okura Mrs. Beatrice Seidel del Messier welcomed prominent visitor Dr. Paula Moynahan from Manhattan at another festive luncheon. Beatrice divides her year between an apartment in Tokyo -- another in Zurich and another in Australia.

Until the next time.

We welcome your opinions. Click to send a message to the editor.