Centenary Weekend — March 2005
Centenary Golf Match — Shin Numazu Country Club (25 March 2005)
The ‘final list’ for the Centenary Golf Match included eleven names, though two hard-working British businessmen had to cancel at the last minute due to pressure of work. Among the nine who did participate were a former C&O President, Sir Stephen Gomersall, and two former Presidents of the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Hong Kong, Colin Cohen and Peter Earnest Wong. These overseas visitors were warmly welcomed by the Tokyo-based golfers, led by Steven Thomas.
There were two potential hazards in the planning of this first Centenary event: traffic on the Tomei Expressway and weather. Fortunately, the traffic flowed smoothly, allowing Tony Fordyce and Rupert Middle — who collected the visitors from Hotel Okura at dawn — to transport everyone on time. The journey was rewarded with a magnificent view of snow-capped Mt Fuji behind the Hakone mountains.
The weather, however, was less cooperative the day before: torrential rain, thunder, and lightning swept across the Kanto Plain. But Friday the 25th dawned bright and clear (if cold and windy). These favourable conditions held throughout, revealing the dramatic scenery of the Izu Peninsula above Suruga Bay. At one point Colin Cohen admired the large “lake”… and was gently informed it was, in fact, the Pacific.
The match began in high spirits, though later tempered by frustration with the small and tricky sub-greens characteristic of older Japanese courses. A leisurely lunch with beer, sake, and excellent sashimi revived everyone — with the exception of one group, which played the first nine holes a full half hour slower than the rest.
As handicaps were uncertain, the New (Double) Peoria system was used. The winner was Steven Thomas, who scored 77 (net 71), well befitting a former Oxford Blue. The Club presented him with a belt bearing a club medal. Runner-up prizes included Toscana wine and a wine-bottle carrier. The two “booby prize” recipients received three Tobunda golf balls each.
After a celebratory drink, participants headed back to Tokyo — some directly to prepare for the evening’s Welcome Dinner at Ark Hills Club.
— Report by Tomoyuki Imai
Welcome Dinner — Ark Hills Club (25 March 2005)
The Welcome Dinner was the second Centenary event, though for most guests it was the first. The elegant Ark Hills Club, on the 37th floor of the Ark Mori Building, offered sweeping night views over Tokyo: Tokyo Bay glimmering in the distance, and Tokyo Tower glowing almost within arm’s reach.
By shortly after 7 p.m., all 46 participants had gathered in the Continental Dining Room. After the presentation of small gifts to the Society’s eleven overseas visitors (six from Malaysia, three from Hong Kong, two from the UK), Graham Fry, C&O President and British Ambassador, welcomed everyone with a warm speech.
Dinner was generous and accompanied by excellent wine. During coffee, the lights dimmed and a large cheesecake appeared — a surprise birthday celebration for Tim Minton, Honorary Secretary, turning 46 that very day. Sir Stephen Gomersall, his predecessor as both Ambassador and C&O President, made a humorous congratulatory speech, and Tim responded with modest embarrassment and good humour.
It was a convivial evening that set a delightful tone for the rest of the weekend, especially the black-tie Centenary Dinner planned for the next night.
— TN
Tokyo Bay Cruise — Lady Crystal (26 March 2005, 12:00–13:30)
Under warm early-spring sunshine, 53 members and guests boarded the yacht Lady Crystal at Tennoz Isle. Visibility was excellent, spirits were high, and most arrived in light casual clothing perfect for the weather.
The group had exclusive access to the Main Deck, ideal for the buffet lunch (champagne, wine, whisky, soft drinks). Members frequently stepped out to the Observation Deck to take in views of Tokyo Bay.
Lady Crystal — 46.57 metres long, 8.8 metres wide, 346 tonnes, with a cruising speed of 12 knots — follows several routes; the Centenary Committee selected the medium course, a 90-minute cruise passing Tokyo Big Sight, the Fuji TV Building, and Rainbow Bridge. The towering red cargo cranes and container yards highlighted Tokyo’s extraordinary industrial scale.
The buffet (¥6,000 per person) was widely praised. Highlights included marinated salmon and sashimi, king crab and avocado salad, quiche Lorraine, cordon bleu veal, white fish meunière, pasta, Chinese snacks, dessert, fruit, and coffee.
The cruise concluded promptly at 13:30, allowing those attending the next event — Oedo Onsen — to depart on time.
— Louis Nthenda
Hot Spa Event — Oedo Onsen Monogatari (26 March 2005)
Initially a subject of some scepticism, the Oedo Onsen event turned out to be greatly enjoyed, especially by overseas visitors.
After the Bay Cruise, the group travelled from Tennoz Isle to Tokyo Teleport Station, boarding the Oedo Onsen shuttle bus — filling it completely and leaving two surprised tourists behind at the stop. One additional member arrived later by motorcycle.
Inside the onsen, guests selected their own yukata and obi before entering the “village” area, a lively recreation of a traditional Edo festival evening — complete with a seasonal cherry-blossom theme. Four groups, led by Nobuko Yamazaki, Huw Williams, Louis Nthenda, and Julian Culliford, explored the baths and attractions.
Most participants enjoyed the rotenburo (open-air baths) under clear blue skies. Others tried the matsuri-style stalls, snacks, beer, and sake. A few discreet photographs were taken for the record — outside the baths, of course.
After about two hours of relaxing, everyone changed and regrouped. The party then walked to Telecom Center Station to take the Yurikamome Line back to central Tokyo. The weather remained fine and clear, and the view from Rainbow Bridge was a beautiful end to the afternoon.
— Huw Williams
Centenary Dinner — Hotel Okura (26 March 2005, 18:30–00:30)
Planning for the Centenary Dinner began in early 2003. After extensive discussion, the Hotel Okura was chosen as the venue — not only for its prestige, but also because its founder, Baron Kiichiro Okura, was a Cambridge graduate and former C&O Honorary Secretary.
The evening was designed in three parts:
- Pre-dinner drinks in the Shukokan Museum of Art
- Formal dinner in the Continental Room, Main Building
- After-dinner drinks in the Baron Okura Room, Annexe
Registration began at 18:30, with members collecting name badges and randomly assigned seating. Despite a short queue down the stairs, any irritation vanished as guests entered the Shukokan and enjoyed drinks among the artworks before being ushered back to the main building around 20:15.
At 20:32, H.I.H. Princess Takamado (Girton, 1972) graciously took her seat at the high table. The proceedings opened with congratulatory messages from the Vice-Chancellors of Oxford and Cambridge and from the Oxford University Society and Cambridge Society, followed by a traditional Latin grace.
A six-course dinner was then served in the Continental Room, whose elegant wood panelling and long table layout evoked a classic Oxbridge college dining hall.
During coffee, the President of the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Malaysia, Elizabeth Lee, and former President of the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Hong Kong, Colin Cohen, presented gifts to C&O, accepted on the Society’s behalf by Graham Fry. This was followed by two excellent speeches: one by Ambassador Graham Fry (now Sir Graham), and one by his predecessor, Sir Stephen Gomersall.
Around 22:30, some 90 guests moved on to the Baron Okura Room at the top of the Annexe for further drinks, cheese, and cigars. Although this part of the evening was scheduled to end at 00:30, it continued for at least another hour. Terry Nakamura eventually rescued the remaining cheese and wine, and a small group continued the celebrations in his room until around 04:00.
A total of 157 people were on the guest list, and 156 attended — ranging from members in their twenties to one nonagenarian, Eikichi Itoh, K.B.E. In his after-dinner speech, Sir Stephen closed by toasting “what we share and treasure in our common Oxbridge DNA: Blue Genes”.
The balance on the night tilted slightly towards Cambridge, with around 60 Cantabrigians and 50 Oxonians, plus guests and several visitors from Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UK.
— TDM
Afternoon Tea — British Ambassador’s Residence (27 March 2005, 16:00–17:30)
The invitation from Ambassador and Mrs Toyoko Fry to tea at the Residence was a much appreciated addition to the Centenary Weekend programme. With just over 80 people in attendance, it was the second most popular event.
Some guests were still feeling the effects of the previous day’s full schedule, but everyone was on their best behaviour, honoured by the presence of T.I.H. the Crown Prince and Princess Takamado, both members of C&O.
The event took place in the magnificent garden of the Ambassador’s Residence — a quintessentially British setting in the heart of Tokyo. Early blossom, the soft clink of china, scones and sandwiches, and warm conversation combined to create a thoroughly charming atmosphere.
For overseas visitors, the opportunity to experience this historic house and garden was a particular highlight.
— TDM
C&O Centenary Closing Event — Gonpachi (27 March 2005, 19:00–21:00)
The Centenary celebrations concluded on Sunday evening at the Minami-Azabu branch of Gonpachi, a theatrical izakaya-style restaurant run by the Global Dining chain.
With its huge open kitchen, slightly cramped zashiki seating, and Edo-inspired décor, Gonpachi provided the perfect relaxed contrast to the formality of the previous night. Around 40 participants rubbed shoulders on the tatami, enjoying free-flowing beer, sake, and traditional pub-style dishes.
A highlight of the evening was a spirited kanpai toast by former President of the Oxbridge Society of Hong Kong, Colin Cohen. Although the exact words may not have been preserved, the mood is captured in the many photographs taken.
Around 135 photos from the evening were later shared in an online album by Gerhard Fasol, offering a visual record of the closing event and the weekend as a whole.
Even if some details have faded, the closing party at Gonpachi remains a warm, lively finale to a highly memorable Centenary Weekend.
— Gerhard Fasol