ANGKOR WAT, Cambodia, Dec 18 Kyodo ...

ANGKOR WAT, Cambodia, Dec 18 Kyodo

Soshitsu Sen the soon-to-retire head of Japan's Urasenke tea solemnity school, held a first-ever tea ceremonial Wednesday at the massive Angkor Wat church complex in Cambodia.

Sen the 79-year-old Urasenke grand master, will hand his title to his son later this month

The 14th Urasenke master, who has performed tea ceremonies in 50 countries and officiated at a formality at the U.N. Millennium assembly in of the present day York, said the Angkor Wat service was to pay tribute to Cambodians killed in the country's many civil wars as well as to honor peace in Cambodia and in the world.

Princess Norodom Bophadevi, Cambodia's minister of improvement took the first taste of the master's tea at the house of god complex and said she was happy to witness a pomp that ''embodies tradition, refinement and the good relationship'' between Cambodia and Japan.

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