| Newsletter
No.50 |
|
May
2003
|
Newsletter No. 50!
About half a year after ESUJ was launched in October 1998,
we began considering how we could provide our members with
information and let them know about our activities. In April
1999, we started publishing the Newsletter. It seems amazing
that this is our 50th edition. In the beginning, all our
steps were tentative, and the Newsletter too, started out
like an Edo tile block print (handmade simple newsletter),
with everything from writing the first draft, proofreading,
and printing done by a sole office staffer. Naturally, we
expected the Newsletter eventually to become something glorious,
but there was always something else pressing and just getting
it published every month took all our effort. Even so, it
has come to require the help of many people, and we are
very grateful that we have been able to continue the monthly
publication uninterrupted. Today, the Newsletter has a circulation
of almost 500, and it also appears on our home page. E-mail
circulation has slowly grown over the four years. We are
amazed at and encouraged by how few copies are returned
to us each month due to "address unknown" errors, given
the large circulation. We are always aiming to improve the
quality, and to this end we would appreciate suggestions
from our members. Taking this opportunity, we would like
to thank Susan Millington for helping with the English translation,
Muramatsu-sensei for checking and translating the English
Club item despite his busy schedule, and ESUJ members who
help with the work of getting the Newsletter out the door
and on its way to our members every month. (Ayako Hanabusa,
Secretary-General)
ESUJ May Evening Gala, 2003
It's the merry month of May, and once again, we are holding
our popular "May
Evening Gala, 2003". This year our guest performer will
be the cellist Yuko Miyagawa. Ms. Miyagawa's playing is
known for its grace and strength. She performs throughout
Europe as well as in Japan. On this occasion, she will play
pieces such as the emotional Catalonian ballad "Bird Songs",
performed by the great Cellist Pablo Casals as a prayer
for peace at the end of his United Nations concert in 1971.
Join us and bring your family and friends as well to this
lovely early summer evening in the wonderful historical
setting of the Meiji Kinenkan, with its beautiful flood-lit
garden.
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 6:30-8:30pm
Place: Lounge Kinkei at Meiji Kinenkan
(JR Shinanomachi station or Subway Aoyama 1chome station)
Charge: Member \6,000 Guest \7,000 (Buffet Style)
Please apply from HERE.
English Club
Our monthly English
Club, hosted by Mr. Masumi Muramatsu (a.k.a. MM) met
Tuesday, April 15, at Doyu Club. Beginning of the latest
President Bush jokes, he explained several basic types of
humor for children and grownups. A sudden shift in standpoint
or emphasis, MM explained, is a basic element of humor,
be it in English or in Japanese rakugo. He played audio
cassette of a popular CBS TV reporter, the late Charles
Kuralt; and explained nearly thirty examples of puns in
English.
Next Club meeting is May 20 (always third Tuesday), 6:30-8:30,
in Room G602, Tokyo International Forum. Ms Jillian Yorke,
co-author of Improve Your English Through E-Mail Correspondence,
will also speak. June 17 (Tues.) will be our 50th English
Club meeting (at Tokyo International Forum, Room G405. Please
join us !
Fifth Annual General Meeting
The 5th ESUJ Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday,
June 20 (notification of the meeting included in this mailing
to members). This time, officers will be elected, so we
are especially encouraging members to attend. Should you
be unable to attend, please don't fail to return the letter
of attorney.
Date: Friday, June 20, 5:45~6:15pm
Place: International House of Japan (Roppongi)
ESUJ Lecture by Mr. Sam Jameson: The Third Japan
Following the Annual General Meeting, there will be a lecture
by the veteran US correspondent, former bureau chief of
the Los Angeles Times and 40-year resident of Japan, Mr.
Sam Jameson. Starting with Japan's "lost decade", Mr. Jameson
will describe how he expects the "Third Japan" to be a period
of major change for the country.
Date: Friday, June 20, 6:30~8:00pm
Place: International House of Japan (Roppongi)
Please apply form HERE.
