On March 24th we gathered for the very first, and also, very last time at Tokyo Kaikan's Crystal Restaurant on the 35th floor of the Kasumigaseki Building. The restaurant was to close down very soon as the building is due to be redeveloped.
Tokyo Kaikan Dinner 2008
Around 20 members attended making for rather a cosy atmosphere. The assembled party enjoyed a buffet dinner and took in spectacular night views along Sotobori-dori to the towers of Shiodome and the Tokyo Bay Bridge beyond. We welcomed one new member, Prof. Yamada, and also said goodbye to another, Pedro Da Costa who was returning to Portugal to take up a research post in Oporto. Doreen Simmons took the opportunity to point out to all those present the significance of the Kasumigaseki Building: when it was built in 1968, it had been the first building in Tokyo permitted to exceed 8 storeys. We may nowadays take for granted buildings of 30 and 40 storeys plus springing up all over the city but the Kasumigaseki Building was the pioneer. Simon Lloyd added that he had worked on the 32nd floor for many years and that, although in 1968 it was said that the building had been built to a standard that was 300% better than the required anti-earthquake safety measures of the time, experiencing an earthquake whilst on the 32nd floor was really a rather frightening experience.
Tokyo Kaikan Dinner 2008 -2

Hodogaya 2008 Group Photo
The dawn chorus had scarcely subsided under the first shafts of morning light when a perfectly matched group of eight from each university assembled for the first championship of the 2008 season. Led by their respective yokozuna Thomas (Oxford) and Dalby (Cambridge), both teams fizzed with anticipation as veterans Sato (Oxford) and Gomersall (Cambridge) squared off for their first shots from the downy yellow of the first tee. In the absence of lady players, Hodogaya’s soft-bosomed (but always mischievous) nature supplied ample decoration of pink, crimson and white with its vestments of plum, magnolia and camellia, as the four flights led off with the usual competitive intent. Some dallied so deeply within the welcoming bush that scores in excess of 50 were not uncommon, though honours were still pretty even, as the sides negotiated the uphill ninth to come in for a 10.30 lunch.
Hodogaya 2008 Fairway
The second nine however brought out true form. Dalby, piqued by a few missed approaches in the matinal session, slipped into top gear. The dapper Takeno (Oxford) kept cool, and even Minton (Cambridge), a Hodogaya virgin, negotiated the curves and hillocks as if he had fondled them for years. Cambridge saved a few points in the final stretch due to the lake alongside holes 16 and 17 being drained and “under repair”, but when the final reckoning came, it was probably the steadiness of Oxford’s senior member, Sato, who carded a cheery 44 in the back nine, which gave Oxford their narrow overall victory of four shots for their 17th championship against Cambridge’s 15. As the non-alcohol beer flowed among the driving members, Takeno placed his hands on the coveted individual trophy, and an impromptu committee of elders judged that his swing had been so fluid for a player of middling handicap that the latter was summarily reduced by 5. Accepting this with true British decency, the victor brought proceedings to a close with much deserved thanks to the society’s Secretary for providing the perfect weather and setting for another close and rewarding match.

As in years past the Society held its End-of-Year party at the International House of Japan in Roppongi on December 19th 2007.

The venue as usual did not disappoint. The kitchens excelled themselves and there was plenty of both food and wine to go around. The 19th was unusually cold, and members were therefore unable to walk in the gardens.

Our bonenkai is usually held of Fridays, and it was feared that the date falling on a Wednesday would have deterred most. But of the 62 who had registered, only one failed to make it. A very good turnout indeed. Your rapporteur also noticed plenty of new faces of the younger generation, confirming the view that the Society's future is very much assured.

What was the point of the raffle tickets? A spoof? Everyone who attended left with the same present: a bottle of wine. It was a slight surprise that most chose the white, ignoring the red, which is promoted in Japan as the healthier. Perhaps our members are not health conscious, or perhaps they just ignore popular trends. [Both (or should that be neither?), of course—Ed]

All in all, a good time was had by all. Your rapportuer looks forward to the next bonenkai.

Louis, the rapportuer, enjoying a drink

By now our members are no strangers to the handsome clubhouse in Roppongi 1-chome, on the same road as the Swedish Embassy, the American Embassy and the Hotel Okura, and almost in the shadow of the gigantic Ark Hills. On Wednesday 31st October 51 Camford members and guests gathered for dinner. The 6:15 for 7:00 starting time gave the early birds an opportunity to socialize over a glass of wine or two; those of us whose work goes on to a little later may have missed the conversation but were kindly allowed to catch up on the wine.

The Tokyo Club is a private and very exclusive club that only a year or two back began to allow outside parties to use the premises, provided that they were arranged by a member, and on this occasion our ‘host’ Terry Nakamura began the evening by reading us our rights, or more strictly, defining the spaces available for our use. Apart from the usual facilities we had a very nice private dining room, and after dinner, the spacious lobby outside for final drinks. Terry stressed that the Library, which was on the same floor, was out-of-bounds to non-Members, but we had, after all, gone there to eat and drink in good company and no-one seemed tempted to trespass.

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 1

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 2

So that we would know what we were eating, Terry had also kindly obtained a translation of the menu, which was all in French. The food, in whatever language, was right up to the usual standard, though before the dessert the waiters seemed a little bemused to carry away so many untouched salads; it appears that many of the British and British-educated still have not taken to the American custom of serving a salad on the side.

Two new members were introduced (Jenny Barb [Clare Cambridge 1978] and Hisao Shiomi [Faculty of Law, Cambridge, 2002]) along with one returnee (Jason James, King’s Cambridge 1983).

Though the Roppongi premises are now the home of the Tokyo Club, its former site in front of the Kasumigaseki Building has gone through yet another transformation. September 26th saw the opening of the new Tokyo Club Building, partly owned by the club, whose immediate impact is as the home of some up-market restaurants.

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 3

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 4

Tim and Huw looking far too serious, and Phil thinking of something to say to the photographer.

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 5

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 6

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 7

After the dinner at the Tokyo Club, we moved on to a Nijikai at Aux Bacchanale in Ark Hills. We were a little pressed for time with only ten minutes to last orders. But a very pleasant autumn evening with plenty of wine to keep us going.

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 8

Tokyo Club Dinner Oct 2007 - 9

As before we are grateful to Terry Nakamura for arranging for us to have a very pleasant evening. Now that Tim Minton has also become a club member, perhaps we have a back-up.

Inspirational round from Oxford Ace, Miller, puts Dark Blues ahead.

The series tied at 15-15, a group of ten assembled at lunchtime on Saturday in near perfect conditions and put in half a round in order to sharpen our games for the tournament on Sunday. An early indication of intent was given by Alex Miller, who drove the green of the par 4 seventh, which clearly unsettled the Cambridge contingent and gave heart to his Oxford team-mates.

However, by midnight it looked like all attempts to sharpen our games had been futile; 12 bottles of wine, dessert wine and a bottle of port later, it seemed unlikely that the quality of golf on Sunday would be of the normal caliber.

Four hours later, the loyal England supporters in our party were watching the Rugby World Cup final (which sadly England lost to South Africa) and were looking doubtful for a 7.30 tee-off.



Then at 6.30 History was made; for the first time in its 20 year history, The Windsor Park Country club hosted a party in the Oxford and Cambridge Suite for the Cambridge and Oxford Society, and Champagne flowed.

Some photos from the 9 October 2007 second tuesday meeting at the Ginza Tobu Hotel.

From left, Ms Emma Whitehouse, Mr Huw Williams, Mr Phil Robertson and Mr Terry Nakamura

From left, Mr David Turner, Mr Julian Culliford, Mr Chris Parry and Dr Hisao Shiomi

On Saturday 8th September the Society held the "Odaiba Day" events.
The first event was the visit to Oedo Onsen Monogatari, the urban onsen which some members had enjoyed on the occasion of the Society's 100th anniversary celebrations in 2005. This time 7 members and guests gathered to take the plunge and enjoy the somewhat confusing experience of old Edo in the ultra-modern surroundings of Odaiba.

The 7, fully revitalised and refreshed by their bathing, joined another
12 attendees at the Shiokaze no Koen barbecue area quite close to the waterside. As it turned out, the onsen had provided relaxation for muscles and sinews that would soon need to go straight into action assembling tables, chairs and barbecues themselves.

Odaiba Day - Group activities


Odaiba Day - Julian hard at work


The scene resembled something out of the Krypton Factor or an Army Officer Initiative Course as Cambridge and Oxford graduates of all ages and both sexes struggled to understand exactly how the subtle catches and sliding pieces slotted into place.

Odaiba Day - Ladies at work

Saturday, 26th May.

The society has organized an annual climb up Takao-san for five years running now. The mountain is close to central Tokyo but feels like the real countryside. The climb in 2006 hit some unpleasant weather, with rain during much of the day. This year however the weather was excellent and the climb very pleasant indeed. We started the climb around 12:30 and made a very leisurely ascent enjoying the scenery and surrounding nature. We chose the route past the waterfall and up the river bank, winding our way around tree roots and descending travellers.

Takao-san climb 2007

We arrived at the top a little later than normal, having some Soba and beer for lunch. We were joined by Ed Whittaker, who had come separately. We descended in two groups, one taking the chairlift (the cable car was not operating) and the other choosing the road route. We were a little concerned about getting to Takao sanguchi in time to meet the bus, but this proved easier than expected.

We then went off to Ukai Toriyama in two groups and were escorted to a fine room overlooking the pond and waterwheel. The meal of aubergine, grilled chicken and various other delicacies was well received, as were copius quantities of 'bambooo sake'. After the meal we all walked around the gardens taking in the ambience and marvellous vistas, Ukai Toriyama is certainly a truly spectacular place.

We all returned safely to Tokyo after a wonderful day out.

HW, May 2007

On Tuesday 23 April, 29 C&O members and guests (30 registrants, less one nefarious no-show) made the now-annual pilgrimage to the delightful Nambutei restaurant on the southern edge of Hibiya Park in central Tokyo.

Of those attending, no fewer than five were new members participating in their very first C&O event, as follows: Dr Yoshie Itani (St Hilda’s, Oxford, 2000~2006), Rev. Kevin Maddy (Selwyn, Cambridge, 1981~84), Dr Etsuo Morishita (Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 1980~82), Max Neuberger (Christ Church, Oxford, 2000~2003) and Sam Vardy (Jesus, Cambridge, 2001~2004).

The restaurant had laid on an excellent buffet dinner featuring a varied menu with a distinct continental theme. The food was accompanied by copious amounts of excellent wine, and the conversation flowed freely as members and guests congregated on the restaurant’s roofed patio.

After half an hour or so of convivial conversation and consumption, Terry Nakamura said a few words and introduced the new members. David Turner then gave the loyal toast, and Julian Culliford pointed out that, as well as being St George’s Day, it was also Shakespeare’s birthday (as well as the day that he died—possibly from a surfeit of birthday cake).

In any event, the food and wine would doubtless have given the Great Bard a new lease of life, and he would certainly have waxed lyrical about our choice of venue for the evening. The charm of this secluded restaurant is that you are liable to totally forget that you are still in the heart of the huge metropolis. The surrounding greenery and gentle ambiance dull the noise and stress of the city, and make for an extremely relaxing and convivial environment.
The evening drifted effortlessly on, as old friendships were renewed and new ones forged, and all too soon our time was nearly up.
There was just time for the cabaret entertainment, starring Alex Williams, before the assembled company said their goodbyes to one another and drifted out of the restaurant and into the warm spring night.

Oxford draw level in varsity competition

On Saturday March 31st, twelve C&O members exhibiting a wide range of golfing prowess gathered once again at the Hodogaya Country Club in Yokohama to take part in the varsity competition and enjoy a day at one of Japan’s oldest and most exclusive courses.

Conquering a tricky breeze, Yasuzo Takeno (Worcester, Oxford) scored a net 75 that secured him first place by one stroke over Alex Miller (Somerville, Oxford), while in the varsity competition a strong all-round performance by the dark blues gave them a clear 14-stroke victory. The varsity competition now stands at 15 wins apiece since 1989 (the period for which records are available).

The fairways and greens were in good condition and the competition was held against a fine backdrop of early-flowering cherry trees and the usual friendly welcome from all at the Hodogaya club. Rain threatened at times but the weather stayed fair throughout the round. During morning play Simon Dalby (Trinity Hall, Cambridge) shot an inspiring 38 (gross) but during the afternoon, as the breeze freshened and the temperature dropped, for most players the greens became a little harder to find and scores fell off a little.

As ever, Terry Nakamura ensured that all arrangements went smoothly and we would also like to particularly thank Hodogaya members Takashi Uyeno and Peter Itoh for inviting us to their club for the day.

The next C&O golf tournament is scheduled to take place at the Windsor Park Golf and Country Club in Ibaraki Prefecture on Saturday 20th October.

John Sunley