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kind remarks for this very humble reception.

I say this is humble, in accordance with our time-honored tradition of modesty. For instance, when you are given something good and valuable by your Japanese friend, even though you know he is surę it is good and valuable, he would say, "Please have this, although this is the lousiest thing in the world." So our humble reception is ready to start with lousy decorations all over, which however, have converted the intense academic atmosphere which had prevailed in this hall heatedly up until a couple of hours ago into a morę sociable and comfortable one.

Now let me tell you something about a couple of decorations we have in front of us. This, on your left, is what we cali Tanabata decoration. On July 7, boys and girls in this country set up bamboo trees, large and smali, and decorate them by attaching their notes of wishes such as good harvest, the health of somebody dear and even their young love. As a matter of fact, this old custom comes from a sad legendary love story between a princess and a little poor boy who were allowed to meet only once a year on July 7.

That one, on your right, is the ladder decoration. The ladder of this sort was used by fire brigades in the old Tokyo which was known for its freguent fires. Your Japanese hosts

and hostesses tonight will be happy to give you further details on these. You may well find what I have just said is utterly wrong.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, we have another old custom which we would like to demonstrate right in front of you all. Like a bottle of champaign broken for a newly launched ship, we have an old custom of breaking a Sake barrel to celebrate something new or something that has just started like this Ninth International Conference which opened today. This act of breaking a Sake barrel should be carried out by somebody exceptionally com-petent and distinguished. May I now invite Dr. Nash, Secretary General of the International Society, and Dr. Moh, Vice President of the Asian Region to do this act of honor for us. After Sake is ready to be served for everybody, please try it in our traditional Sake cup or a box-shaped wooden bowl.

An entertainment program entitled "Summer Festival of Japan" will take place between 9:00 and 10:30 pm at Fuji Room on the third floor. This program will present a variety of Japanese dances and songs as well as the traditional acrobatics and magics. Those who wish to remain here, please do so until 10:00 pm. In either way we hope all of you have an enjoyable and pleasant evening.

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