- 2025-08-31 15:00
- 2025-09-30 15:00
Now well into the second century since the historic founding of The Cambridge & Oxford Society, Tokyo, on the evening of Saturday 28th March, over 130 members and guests gathered at Hotel Okura for the Society’s 110th Anniversary Dinner celebration.
As at the previous dinners for the Society’s 100th Anniversary and Cambridge University 900th Anniversary, we were again honoured by the presence of HIH Princess Takamado (Girton, Cambridge 1972).
The setting for this special evening was the splendid Akebono-no-Ma in the Okura main building, followed by after-dinner drinks in the Baron Okura private wine bar, discreetly located on the top floor of the South Wing.
Festivities opened with a cocktail reception, with diners attired in black tie or evening dress getting into the spirit of the evening to the accompaniment of live jazz music expertly played by students from Keio University Medical School.
As we sat down to dinner, Tim Minton (St. John’s, Cambridge 1977), Honorary Secretary of the Society, opened the formal proceedings by reading out congratulatory messages received from the Vice-Chancellors of the two Universities.
Senior member, Masaji Takahashi (Jesus, Cambridge 1961) then proposed a toast to the continued prosperity of the Society and good health of all in attendance and dinner was served. Amidst lively conversation, diners enjoyed an excellent five-course meal and fine wines from Hotel Okura’s cellars.
As the dinner drew to a close, we were then treated to two excellent speeches. Firstly, Princess Takamado recalled her happy times at Girton College and her conversations years later with her daughter as to how much her experience at Cambridge had meant to her. Then, Julia Longbottom (Cambridge 1982), Minister (Deputy Head of Mission), British Embassy Tokyo, inspired memories all around the room of our own university days as she spoke of her experience in going up to Cambridge and finding her own place in the social whirl that sweeps up all new arrivals.
A beautiful calm early Spring day at the venerable Hodogaya Country Club greeted the sixteen C&O players on Saturday March 23rd. This time we were graced with a guest – David Jones from the London wine merchant Berry Brothers, as well as the welcome participation of one of our lady members, Carolyn Macdonald.
Everyone was delighted to welcome back to active golfing duties Terry Nakamura, who acquitted himself extremely well on the day.
Four fourballs, two ‘In’, two ‘Out’, eight Oxonians, seven Cantabrians; the stage was set for another close battle for not only the prized individual trophy (defending champion: Yoshi Kawamura) but for the ‘varsity’ match based on the top four scores from either University.
Our guest David Jones, a smooth swinging 3 handicapper from The Berkshire, actually posted the best score on the day, with a fine 75 gross. But the individual honours went to Simon Dalby whose 76 was enough to win the day.
The Varsity match was finally won by Cambridge thus halting a run of Oxford success.
A very enjoyable day was had and we all look forward to the Autumn meeting. Many thanks to Steven Thomas for organizing the day.
Oxford players: Peter Sato, Terry Nakamura, Charles Postles, Yoshi Shimizu, Tomo Imai, Steven Thomas, Yasuzo Takeno, Alex Miller.
Cambridge players: Simon Dalby, Peter Itoh, Jim Weeks, Alastair & Carolyn Macdonald, Yoshi Kawamura, John Sunley.
Guest: David Jones.