Interviews
Featured in a movie: "Japanese War Bride" (Japanese)
(Japanese) While I was teaching the Way of Tea in the 1950's, during the time that the 15th iemoto, Hōunsai, came to the U.S., 20th Century-Fox decided to film a movie called "Japanese War Bride" in Hollywood. I was asked to teach [the actors] how to perform the tea ceremony for the film, which was an honor since this was the first time that any traditional Japanese art form would be featured on the silver-screen. But the person that I happened to be teaching was having a difficult time learning how to perform the tea ceremony, so then, 20th Century's director, Mr. King Vidor, asked: "How about Matsumoto-sensei does it?" I was so happy. So they officially asked me to be in the film and I accepted. So there it was, 55 years ago, we filmed at 20th Century studios and the film, "Japanese War Bride" was made. I was so honored that the Japanese tea ceremony tradition was introduced for the first time in Hollywood. Shirley Yamaguchi starred in the film, along with another actor, I can't quite recall his name... but it was such an entertaining scene.
Date: December 19, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Nancy Araki
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
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