New Year's Lecture: Back to the Table -Old is New

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. An attractive catalogue and gift of Wedgwood teabags was distributed to each of the 90 seats, virtually all of which were full, amidst this scintillating ambiance.

Tom Wedgwood started off by explaining that like most Wedgwoods he is very 'shy'. While describing the 250-year old history and manufacturing philosophy of Wedgwood, he also 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. He mentioned efforts to find new ways and new styles for table settings to resurrect the happy circle of dining.

Brand is all about trust. Design isn't a temporary fashion but must create trust. While images of various beautiful Wedgwood patterns and a seven-meter manta ray were being shown, 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.

English Club's First Meeting at Nikkei Notio

On January 15 (Tuesday), English Club held its first meeting at Nikkei Notio on the ground floor of Marunouchi Oazo with the cooperation of the Nikkei Newspaper Company. In addition to English Club members, it was possible for the general public to apply at the Nikkei Notio web site (lottery system). Nearly all 60 seats were full.

The guest speaker was the Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Director of Communications for IBM Japan Ms. Patricia Bader-Johnston, who spoke on "Japan and Canada: Intelligent Societies for the Future." Ms. Johnston spoke in crisp, clear English, one after the next, about the role of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the state of business exchanges between Canada and Japan, Canada's abundant energy resources and industry, the country's diversity as an immigrant nation, the meaning of intelligent global society, corporate social responsibility (CSR). With many first-time participants, Q&A was especially lively. This first event entirely in English at Nikkei Notio was very successful, thanks to everyone.

English Club 18:30-20:00 Nikkei Notio (Marunouchi Oazo)

Feb. 19 (Tue) 18:30-20:00 at Nikkei Notio (Marunouchi Oazo)
March 18 (Tuesday) Sign up by : March 9 (Sunday)
The Fight Against Global Warming : Role of Carbon Credits

Speaker: Mr. Matthew Setterfield, CDM Consultant,
Clean Energy Finance Committee, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co.

The guest speaker is a professional consultant who will explain the concept of carbon trading set out in the Kyoto Protocol and examines its potential for reducing emissions of harmful gases.

PLEASE NOTE:Members must notify their attendance by the Sign-Up Date via Nikkei Notio's Web Site (at ES:UJ web site) or E-mail the ESUJ Office. (For members, please add "ESUJ" before your name in case of application.)

February 19 (Tues.) English Club :Applications have closed.
Speaker: Dr. Bernd Fischer, Minister at the German Embassy
"Germany, Europe and Japan-a comparison of the economies, government, culture and in general"

Ambassador's Lecture: Sri Lanka: Present Day and Culture
February 26 (Tues.) 18:30-20:00 Place: Japan National Press Club
Mr Ranjith Uyangoda, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan

Spring Outing: Cherry Blossom Time in Kamakura
(Visit to a Traditional Japanese Farmhouse) March 29 (Sat.) 10:00-12:00 Meet at 9:30 at Kamakura Station, West Exit Taxi Rank