The final get-together of the Convention in the Hiten Hall saw attendees decked out in splendid raiment, echoing the beauty of the flowers loved by all attendees and that form a fertile foundation of friendship in our organization.
Speeches were given by H.I.H. Princess Takamado, International President Nadia El Borai and, representing her husband, Kazuo Ogura, President of the Japan Foundation, Mrs. Noriko Ogura. This was the last official duty of our Honorary President H.I.H. Princess Takamado had graced the Convention with her presence every day and she had gone far beyond her official role in her warm interest and appreciation of every aspect of the event Ikebana International is indeed fortunate to have a such a warm-hearted, sunny, and devoted Honorary President.

Dinner was started with a toast by Mrs. Alhe Uyehara, Past President of Washington, D.C. Chapter.

Awards for the Cherry Membership Drive new members recruitment went to five chapters, and they were received by Mrs. Joyce Overholzer, Washington, D.C. Chapter; Mrs. Elaine Koo, Hong Kong Chapter; Mrs. Jean Liao, Toronto Chapter; Mrs. Remani V. Nambiar, Hyderabad Chapter; and Mrs. Olga Yudina, Moscow Prospective Chapter.

And three Regional Conferences - the 10th Asian Regional Conference in Hyderabad, India; the 16th North American Regional Conference in Monterey, California; the 7th European Regional Conference in Paris - were announced with much fanfare.

The Convention Committee of Chairpersons was introduced by Convention Chairperson Yoriko Ikezawa and International President Nadia El Borai.

The final event of the banquet was a concert of contemporary Japanese music of the highest quality performed by Shonosuke Okura, o-tsuzumi drum, and Kazue Sawai, koto.

The work was entitled Sanbaso, a composition of Mrs. Sawai's husband, Tadao, a major composer of contemporary koto music. Unlike the often saccharine sound of the traditional koto, the Sawai koto explored the full dynamic range and expressive power of the instrument and produced an almost symphonic effect.

This forceful performance of this usually sweet instrument was beautifully complemented by the percussive artistry of Shonosuke Okura on the o-tsuzumi, the larger of two hourglass-shaped drums used in the Noh drama and by his expressive vocalizations.

Mr Okura is of a long lineage of Noh drama tsuzumi musicians and has performed widely in many countries.

He is also Iemoto of the Okura School of tsuzumi drumming.

This combination of vigorous koto artistry, percussive sound, and vocal dynamic represented a surprising and marvelous contemporary exploration of Japanese musical tradition and showed contemporary Japanese composition at its finest. Even members of the audience not familiar with contemporary music found this sensitive concert compelling.

Convention Chairperson Yoriko Ikezawa then gave a closing address.

Ikebana International wishes to express gratitude to all the honored guests and to all participants, whether present in body or through goodwill,ho made the Ninth World Convention such a success.

The dinner ended with the traditional Auld Lang Syne, with the warmth, friendship and creative energy of those intense few days flowing through and felt by everyone present.

As attendees left the hall, they were presented with a lovely "Moondust" carnation, a thoughtful and charming gift. A marvelous and happy convention came to a beautiful close.