Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Ship Supply Depot (SSD) shared some Japanese traditions with Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka Sailors Dec. 11 at the JMSDF naval base in Taura, Japan.

The celebration served as the 17th anniversary of the founding of SSD and provided U.S. Navy guests an opportunity to share in Japanese cultural events, to include rice-pounding, sword fighting and a tea ceremony.

During the traditional rice-pounding or mochitsuki ceremony, which heralds the coming of the New Year, Sailors wielded large wooden mallets and struck wetted piles of steamed rice that were placed in big mortars, the pounding continues until the glutinous rice mixture has the consistency of soft taffy. The finished mochi is then seasoned and given out for everyone to eat.

"Thank you for hosting my staff and I here today and allowing us to partake in this Japanese tradition as we honor yet another year of SSD as well as another year of friendship and collaboration," said Capt. Raymond Bichard, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, commanding officer.

Next the Sailors were afforded the opportunity to enjoy tea, in a very unique way.

The Japanese tea ceremony is a cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of powdered green tea. The elaborate and refined presentation is meant to demonstrate respect to guests through grace and good etiquette.

"I felt very honored in the way I was able to experience that part of their culture" said Gunnery Sgt. Taofia Piliati, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, Marine Liaison Detachment distribution chief.

Finally, two of the JMSDF hosts performed a display of swordmanship for the American guests. They donned their traditional gi for a kendo sparring duel. Although the blades were made of bamboo and the warriors were only students, the rituals of swordsmanship flow directly from the samurai culture of the past.

As the event drew to a close the hosts acknowledged the importance of continued bilateral engagement.

"The mochi-pounding at this place is a historic and traditional event for both our commands, something that we can call a living witness to what has been a strong alliance between U.S. and Japan," said Capt. Hiroki Saigawa, JMSDF SSD, commanding officer.

The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with more than 38-million people calling it home, yet this city and country with its many modern marvels, continues to adeptly blend the past with the present.

Whether it was preparing a rice dish, drinking tea or wielding a sword in the traditional manner, the events drew together two nations, giving the American guests a better understanding of their host nation's past and a unique story of taking part in ancient Japanese customs.

As the Western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command, just 26 miles due south of Tokyo, the NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka enterprise networks more than 20 detachments, sites and fuel terminals from Misawa, Japan, to Sydney, Australia; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam.

The Sailors, Marines, Japanese Master Labor Contract (MLC), U.S. Civil Service (USCS) and contract employees at NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka provide the daily logistics support to the Navy, Marine Corps, Department of Defense and other federal activity customers within the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.