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| Newsletter
No.79 |
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Dec.
2005
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Welcome Reception for Mrs. Valerie Mitchell
Mrs. Valerie Mitchell, Director-General of ESU of
the Commonwealth as well as Secretary-General of
the ESU International Council, visited Japan on
her way home from the Philippines where the ESU
of the Philippines was inaugurated. This was her
second visit to Japan following her first visit
seven years ago to attend the ESU's opening ceremony.
To thank her for her continued cooperation with
the ESUJ, especially for the university debating
competition, the ESUJ hosted a welcome reception
on Thursday 24th November at the banquet room of
the newly built building of The Tokyo Club. 50 members
gathered including Mrs. Fry, wife of the British
Ambassador to Japan, who is also an Advisor to the
ESUJ as well as a Governor of the ESU of the UK.
Mrs. Fry also attended the Philippine's ceremony.
Mrs. Mitchell delivered a speech about ESUs in the
world. The ESU was established after World War I
with the aiming of achieving a long lasting world
peace. In order to establish a peaceful world, mutual
understanding is indispensable. To reach such mutual
understanding, communication is absolutely necessary.
English is a most appropriate language for communicating
with each other since it is recognized as a lingua
franca. Sir Winston Churchill was once a chairman
of the ESU in the 1920s. This year, ESUs were born
in Mexico and the Philippines, and next year Chile
and Yemen will join. Mrs. Mitchell appreciated the
ESUJ's various activities. All attendants were enchanted
by her beautiful English and thoroughly enjoyed
the distinguished evening occasion.
Haiku in English
On Friday 28 October at the Japan National Press
Club, the second gathering of “Haiku in English”
took place following the very successful new year's
special lecture by Emiko Miyashita-sensei. This
time's theme was “How to enjoy a haiku-party”.
As the homework “bring your English haiku”
had been given, we worried a bit about the number
of participants, especially for those who were beginners.
But 20 members gathered with a total 36 haiku poems,
all of which were very well done reflecting various
thoughts and impressions on variety of subjects.
It was quite exciting to read through these characteristic
and sensitive masterpieces. After having exchanged
free comments amongst all the participants on an
anonymous basis, a vote was taken. You will see
the first prize haiku by Mr. Kato and two runners-up
by Mr. Matsumoto and Ms. Tani below. The prize given
by Miyashita-sensei was a pocket book with haiku
season words. All enjoyed this pleasant and intellectual
evening.
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fallen leaves, red and yellow| |
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make me hesitant |
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to clean the garden |
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Shigeru Kato
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our loving cat |
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comes home wearing fallen leaves |
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autumn has come |
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Shoji Matsumoto
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folding |
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my late father's jacket |
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in Autumn chill |
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Eiko Tani
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An Evening at Twinkle Race
On Friday, November 4th, ESUJ members and guests
enjoyed the “Twinkle” horse racing at Oi Racecourse.
The special VIP Room located on the 5th Floor of
its new annex was arranged for us. After the sun
set in a late autumn evening, the track was fully
illuminated with beautiful floodlighting. With wine
glass in hand, all the participants were excited
as they watched thoroughbreds speeding like an arrow.
A maximum complement of 30 persons was ideally split
between Japanese and non-Japanese, ranging from
a complete amateur to a semi-professional better
such as our chairman Mr. Hanabusa. To our regret,
no one seemed to have won a large enough sum of
money to donate to ESUJ's fund!
English Club
Our monthly English Club was held on Tuesday 15
November at Nikkei Shimbun Head Office. Prof. Patrick
Carey gave the second part of his well reputed travel
talk “Rediscovering the Old Tokaido”, this time
covering the journey from Hamamatsu to the final
destination, Kyoto. Prof. Carey's adventure story
continued with various episodes such as being hit
by a typhoon, an impromptu lesson in an elementary
school he happened to be passing where in the classroom
a Tokaido map was displayed on the wall, and then
the dramatic finale at Kyoto Sanjo Bridge where
3 cameramen were awaiting him. Accompanying his
speech Hiroshige's ukiyoe prints and contemporary
photographs were shown which were an added help
in understanding his journey. Thank you very much
Carey-san.
There will be a Christmas Party instead of English
Club in December.
Next English Club: Tue. 17 January 18:30-20:30 at
Tokyo International Forum Room G408. [The
venue is changed.]
We will invite a Canadian gentleman, Dr. James
Yellowlees, as guest speaker for the evening.
Coming Events!
December 21 (Wednesday) ESUJ Christmas
Party!!
Venue: Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan (Yurakucho)
Cost: \7000 (students \3000) Buffet style
January 25 (Wednesday) ESUJ New Year's Lecture
1830-20:00
Scotland and its National Poet Robert Burns
by Mr. Gary McGregor
Venue: Kasumi Kaikan (Kasumigaseki Bldg. 34th
floor)
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For
further informaiton contact!
E-MAIL:esuj@esuj.gr.jp
Fujikage-Building
9th Floor, Motoakasaka 1-1-5
MInato-ku, Tokyo 107-0051
TEL: 03-3423-0970 FAX: 03-3423-0971
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