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July 2008
Mrs. Laura Bush receives instruction Monday, July 7, 2008, from Ms. Soko Sakurai on the art of preparing a bowl of tea. Ms. Sakurai is the Tea Master at the Urasenke School, which is active in fostering international goodwill through cultural exchange. Mrs. Bush and spouses of G-8 leaders participated in the tea ceremony during a traditional Japanese cultural program in Toyako, Japan, site of the 2008 G-8 Summit.
Mrs. Laura Bush receives instruction Monday, July 7, 2008, from Ms. Soko Sakurai on the art of preparing a bowl of tea. Ms. Sakurai is the Tea Master at the Urasenke School, which is active in fostering international goodwill through cultural exchange. Mrs. Bush and spouses of G-8 leaders participated in the tea ceremony during a traditional Japanese cultural program in Toyako, Japan, site of the 2008 G-8 Summit.
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush are welcomed on their arrival Sunday, July 6, 2008 to the New Chitose International Airport, to attend the Group of Eight Summit in Toyako, Japan. President George W. Bush and Laura Bush accept flowers from young greeters upon their arrival Sunday, July 6, 2008 to the New Chitose International Airport, to attend the Group of Eight Summit in Toyako, Japan.
Mrs. Laura Bush joins spouses of G-8 leaders Monday, July 7, 2008, as they participate in a demonstration of a Junihitoe 12-layered Ancient Kimono at the Bridal Chapel and Bridal Salon of the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa in Toyako, Japan. The event celebrates the 1000th anniversary of the Tale of Genji, a Japanese classic written by Lady Murasaki. Junihitoe means 12 layers, and is an example of the formal court dress worn by women during Murasaki's time. As Mrs. Laura Bush listens, Mrs. Kiyoko Fukuda, spouse of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan, explains the finer details on proper dressing techniques during a demonstration for G-8 spouses of a Junihitoe 12-layered Ancient Kimono Monday, July 7, 2008, at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa in Toyako, Japan.
Mrs. Laura Bush smiles as she joins Mrs. Kiyoko Fukuda, left, spouse of Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and other G-8 spouses at a traditional Japanese cultural program Monday, July 7, 2008, at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa in Toyako, Japan. The hand of a model is barely seen under her layered sleeve during a demonstration Monday, July 7, 2008, of Junihitoe, 12-layered Ancient Kimono, for the G-8 spouses in Toyako, Japan. Junihitoe means 12 layers and is an example of the formal court dress worn by women during the Heian period (790-1185). Women were hidden behind screens at court and an occasional glimpse of their layered sleeves and hems was all that would be visible to a visitor or a suitor.
A young woman models a Junihitoe, a 12-layered formal court dress worn by women during the Heian period, during a demonstration of traditional Japanese culture Monday for G-8 spouses at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa in Toyako, Japan. Spouses of G-8 leaders pose with a model dressed in a Junihitoe, a 12-layered ancient kimono, following a demonstration of traditional Japanese culture Monday, July 7, 2008, in Toyako, Japan. From left, the spouses are: Mrs. Margarida Uva Barroso, Mrs. Laureen Harper, Mrs. Sarah Brown, Mrs. Laura Bush, Mrs. Svetlana Medvedeva, and Mrs. Kiyoko Fukuda.
Mrs. Laura Bush participates in an Urasenke Tea Ceremony during a traditional Japanese cultural program for spouses of G-8 leaders Monday, July 7, 2008, at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa in Toyako, Japan. Mrs. Laura Bush receives instruction Monday, July 7, 2008, from Ms. Soko Sakurai on the art of preparing a bowl of tea. Ms. Sakurai is the Tea Master at the Urasenke School, which is active in fostering international goodwill through cultural exchange. Mrs. Bush and spouses of G-8 leaders participated in the tea ceremony during a traditional Japanese cultural program in Toyako, Japan, site of the 2008 G-8 Summit.
Mrs. Laura prepares a cup of tea during a ryureishiki Monday, July 7, 2008, in Toyako, Japan. Mrs. Bush was joined by other spouses of G-8 leaders during a traditional Japanese cultural program that included this version of the tea ceremony, where guests and host are seated in chairs instead of on their knees. Traced back to 1872, this particular version was created so that foreign guests at international expositions could more comfortably participate in the ceremonies. Mrs. Laura Bush watches as Mrs. Svetlana Medvedeva prepares a bowl of tea Monday, July 7, 2008 during a program in Toyako, Japan, for G-8 spouses on traditional Japanese culture. Mrs. Medvedev is the spouse of Russia's President Dmitriy Medvedev.
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush arrive at the Dinner with G-8 Leaders and Spouses Monday, July 7, 2008, at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa in Toyako, Japan. President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush stand with Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Mrs. Kiyoko Fukuda in the Banquet Lobby of the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa Monday, July 7, 2008, in Toyako, Japan, prior to the Dinner with G-8 Leaders and Spouses.
Mrs. Laura Bush joins spouses of the G-8 leaders as they visit the Hokkaido Marche (northern farm market), in Makkari Village Tuesday, July 8, 2008. The Hokkaido Marche was especially organized by the local residents on the occasion of the Summit, with the aim of illustrating the richness of locally produced foods.

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