Asiatic Society of Japan (ASJ)

The Annual General Membership was held Monday, January 29th, elegantly hosted by the Embassy of Sweden. After the business reports, guided by Dr. Erich Berendt, a former ASJ president, His Excellency Mr. Magnus Robach, Ambassador of Sweden to Japan enlightened us with “Dag Hammarskjöld, Poet, Philosopher and Diplomat”. A congenial and energetic reception followed accompanied by creative kimono-like displays.

The reception in year. Dr. Erich Berendt is on the left. Thank you for conducting our business section of the AGM.

Ms. You Gene Kim, who described Joseonjok (Korean-Chinese) Migration in Japan, during her Q & A session.

A few Young Scholars and a great deal of discussion marked another successful Young Scholars Programme. While the Bulletin will give a full account of the research presented, a few photos convey the relaxed and engaged atmosphere of the evening. My apologies for overlooking taking a photo of Mr. Bijaya Thapa, who enlightened us about the Magars of Nepal.

The ASJ October lecture was hosted by the Embassy of India on a crisp, early autumn evening. Following our education upon “India: Ancient Civilisation and Dynamic Economy” by His Excellency Mr. Sujan R. Chinoy, Ambassador of India to Japan, we enjoyed a splendid reception of Indian cuisine with colleagues and friends new and established. Our gratitude is offered to the Embassy staff for their gracious care and to the ASJ programme committee for a beautifully planned evening. Several photographs will convey a bit of the flavour of the evening:
The photographers had their day as the reception gathered.
Curry, nan, and dessert along with Indian beer and wine...
Past President Robert Morton with Past President George Sioris, who was visiting from his Thailand home, with Keith McPhalen...
Professor and doctoral student from Daito Bunka University...
A table of long time friends having a good chat.

The 2017 autumn semester for Japan universities is due to start soon, and so I am inviting my Facebook friends to view the ASJ page I have enjoyed maintaining for over five years. Please "LIKE" it if you do; keep in touch if it interests you. Monthly meetings and announcements are posted along with photos of interest.

The ASJ, as an academic society founded in 1872, is a core group of research fiends, professors, the ambassadorial circle, and students both Japanese and from around the world, many conducting their doctoral work in Japan. In short: an astonishing variety of people and monthly lecture topics. I have learned a great deal from the collective meetings and lectures. Drop by if you are so inclined as a guest of mine. :-) ⛩️

Mr. Matt Burney, Director, The British Council Tokyo, gave his insight into the workings of the British Council to a surprisingly large audience, who were undeterred by the sweltering summer night. Details and the Q & A will be in the next Bulletin. The mini-reception was enlivened by the spirit of "pot luck" as the organizer, Mrs. Tanaka, is summering in England. Summer wear was in evidence and the conversation brisk between members new and fixtures. Enjoy the summer one and all, until the next meeting is in September.

The July 19th ASJ meeting event was beautifully hosted by H.E Dr. Hans Carl von Werthern, the German Ambassador to Japan in The Residence of the German Ambassador. The Ambassador gave an informative speech about his life in the diplomatic corps of Germany. We were left with a deeper appreciation for the profession and, to paraphrase his speech title, why ambassadors are needed for diplomacy in the globalizing world. The following buffet provided a congenial chance to converse with the ambassador, his wife, various other ambassadors, professors, students, and the intriguing mix of men and women who make the ASJ a constant joy.

Dr. John Weber, renowned collector of Asian and Japanese art, led us on a graceful saunter through his magnificently diverse art collection, which has been the foundation of his worldwide exhibition collaborations. From an exuberant Jōmon pot, austere sake holder formerly owned and featured in film director Akira Kurasawa’s “Hamlet”, to prints, paintings, Buddhist iconographic statues. Dr. Weber began with the silk fan painting that kindled his love of Japanese art, and sashayed through an array of kimono wear ranging from the boldly austere to splashily colored street wear, and a celebratory 1930’s Mickey Mouse pattern, and also the unforgettable “bug-eyed alien” Chinese warrior statue, a favorite of children visiting his museum exhibitions.


Afterwards, his fellow collector and friend Mr. Klaus Naumann reminisced together through the Vote of Thanks. The evening progressed with a reception as members, guests, and a very robust collection of graduate students from Daito Bunka mingled before setting off into a balmy spring night under a brilliant full moon.

Thinking back on the evening, one could re-imagine various scenes, conversations, friends, our speakers, and the setting indoors and out in many of the artistic venues shared with us by Dr. Weber fine eye and artistic scope. Dr. Weber will next collect himself to train for the triathlon and Iron Man events in Hawai’i.

We thank the International House for hosting the ASJ once again.

Mr. Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian born rakugo performer currently promoting his craft off-Broadway in New York City and other venues, brought his enthusiasm for his craft and journey as an artist to the highly appreciative ASJ membership in a venue held in the sumptuous Kokugakuin University in Shibuya. While the evening weather was blustery, the feeling was warmly collegial. The evening no doubt left many with a re-ignited desire to rush to the nearest rakugo-geki to enjoy a show with renewed appreciation. No photos were allowed, so we share the vista and a glimpse of one element of a fine reception, the delectable sake graciously provisioned by Takehashi Shuzo, Yamagata. Another remarkable evening thanks to the good will of many supporters within KU and the ASJ.

“The Japan Times, the Nippon Times and the Cuckoo Press of Greater East Asia, 1940-1945”