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| Lecture by Mr.Thomas
Wedgwood, January 2008 |
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This year's first lecture took place on January 29 (Tues.) at 7:00pm at
the Japan National Press Club. Our speaker was Mr. Thomas Wedgwood, 8th generation scion
of England's fine china maker Wedgwood. A table was set with Wedgwood's most recent
tableware arranged around a beautiful flower basket.
While describing the 250-year old history and manufacturing philosophy of
Wedgwood, he told the audience a little about himself. Born in Africa, when he was a baby
he was taken by his parents to Mozambique, where he fell in love with the sea and ever
after wished to become a marine scientist.
Surprisingly, the Wedgwoods are related by marriage to the famous Darwin
family through Charles Darwin, which may have something to do with Tom's own love of the
sea! At the exciting time of the industrial revolution in the 18th century, Wedgwood
founder Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) created the famous white-on-blue Jasperware. The
designs were based on the respect that Wedgwood felt for the cultural heritage of ancient
Greek and Roman classics, which became the basis of Wedgwood wares.
Tom also spoke of the founder's success in manufacturing a nearly
1000-piece hand-painted dinner service for Empress Catherine of Russia, the discovery in
the back of a 3000-employee factory of a sea-and-mermaid mold made by Josiah Wedgwood
himself in around 1780, the adaptation of oriental ceramics designs to British taste, and
the company's emphasis on beauty as well as utility.
He also talked about the importance for family life of sitting down at the table for meals
and sharing conversation rather than watching TV without talking, a tradition young people
risk losing.
A lively Q & A session ensued, with Wedgwood-san also talking about his Japanese wife
and daughter Mairi, for a delightful and very fulfilling New Year's Lecture. |
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