Get to Know Matsue: The Castle Town & Its Tea Culture

Matsue City is steeped in history, from carefully preserved samurai residences and tea houses to the majestic fortress of Matsue Castle. Completed in 1611, Matsue Castle is one of only a few castles in Japan to retain its original castle keep and is designated a national treasure. At this talk, Matsue Mayor Akihito Uesada illuminates the city’s fascinating samurai history, rich cultural heritage and culinary treasures. The program includes an exclusive viewing of a historical reenactment video of the construction and establishment of Matsue Castle. Previously only available on-site at the Matsue City Museum, this video is being shown for the first time outside Japan—at Japan Society. Attendees will also discover Matsue’s culture first-hand through special on-stage demonstrations by some of the city’s highly skilled craftspeople.

Followed by a reception featuring samples of some of Matsue’s culinary specialties, including a variety of delicious teas, sweets and sake.

Attendees will receive a gift bag featuring products from Matsue, including chopsticks made of Yakumo-Nuri lacquerware (one of Shimane’s signature handicrafts), ochoko (sake cup), Matsue castle guide, Shimanekko sticker, Matsue City brochure, Matsue City tote bag.

Speaker

Akihito Uesada
After graduating from Kyushu University Faculty of Law in March 1995, Akihito Uesada joined the Japan Development Bank (currently Development Bank of Japan) in April 1995. He then began working at the Ministry of Construction (now the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), first as section chief in the Policy Division in the Minister of Construction’s Secretariat in April 1999, then as section chief in the Policy Division, Policy Bureau starting in January 2001. In June 2005 he became the Singapore deputy representative at the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ), and was appointed a section chief of the Corporate Investment Group at the same bank in May 2012. In April 2017, he was appointed as the Head of the DBJ’s Matsue Office; in June 2019, he was transferred to New York as the CEO of DBJ Americas Inc. He retired from DBJ in December 2020, and was elected as the Mayor of Matsue City in April 2021. In his current role as mayor, he is working to spread the charm of Matsue to the world, making the city a destination for people from all around the globe.

Demonstration Participants
Yumi Harada, Managing Director, Senchaso
Mitsuhiro Ōtsu, Chief Confectioner, Saiundo

Part of the Get to Know Japan Series: Matsue
July 17 & 18, 2023

Discover the beauty and culture of Matsue City through a special lecture and workshop.

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Get to Know Japan Series: Matsue is co-organized by Matsue City.


The Food Talk Series is sponsored by Kikkoman Corporation.

Talks+ Talks event

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional support for cultural programs is provided by an anonymous donor and the Sandy Heck Lecture Fund.