Farewell dinner in Asakusa

We went to "三角(sankaku)," a blowfish restaurant in Asakusa for
Alan and Emily's farewell dinner.

Prof. Onishi (ICU)
Blowfish sashimi
Alan Taylor's first bite of a blowfish sashimi
Emily and Alan
Appetizer
Everyone (except Wanibuchi-kun) at the dinner table

Alan Taylor's lecture and dinner

Alan Taylor's lecture on Thursday, September 18th was "Squaring
the Circle: Colonial and Native Spaces."
Circles are both spiritual and physical symbols which indicate
tribal communities of the Indian people. Alan introduced two
important material cultural objects, the Indian map of 1721 and
Powahatan's gift to the governor of Jamestown. "Circles "(Indian
communities) tried to integrate "Squares" (English colonies) to
keep peaceful relationships. His ethno-hisotorical reading and
interpretation led us to understand colonial Virginia from a Native
people's point of view.

Here are some pictures from dinner at 稲富 (Inatomi) after the lecture: Alan and Emily
Kenryu, Alan and Emily
Prof. Furuya was the main host of the dinner at this
Okonomi-yaki restaurant.

Alan Taylor at Komaba

Alan Taylor (UC Davis) gave a lecture for the Japanese Association
of Early Americanists at Komaba. The lecture title was
"The Migration Revolution in British North America."
It was interesting to view the colonial history in social historical
perspectives focused upon population growth.

Alan (left) Endo-san (right)

Thanks to the Londoners

My two-week stay in London was for my research on the 16th
to the 18th century English construction of public sphere. Besides
searching historical materials at the British Library, I was able to
explore the contemporary city of London with helps from people
who currently live in London.

What impressed me the most about London was its inherent
historical continuities such as ethnic diversity, constantly moving
people and goods, and the effective formation of shared public spheres
from the Tudor England to the present day. I have never seen such an
ethnically and culturally diverse city like London. New York is not
in comparison for the US society requires people to be integrated into
THE American value and become Americans (or like Americans) even
in a city like Big Apple, whereas London allows each group to keep its
own identity. It is quite intriguing to realize again that the "empire"
first adopted and allowed cultural and ethnic diversities not to
celebrate but to control. In London today, a civilian control seems
to be very much in operation in spite of the city's diversity.

My thanks are extended to the following people:

Peter, my great guardian, at the Imperial College, London Beautiful Asuka at the Regent Park
Prof. Ikeda at the King's College, London

From Westminster Abbey to Trafargar Square

After a Sunday organ concert at the Westminster Abbey, we took a walk
from the Abbey to the Trafargar Square.

The Lion contemplating at dusk


The Whitehall
The Parliament Square


The Westminster Abbey

Asuka and Yukimi after a Sunday organ concert at the Westminster Abbey

Liberty is so classy!

My sweet (?) sister joined me in London after her trip in Germany
and Italy. We were very much impressed by the superb arrangements
of merchandise at the Liberty department store. It was like visiting
a museum of contemporary artifacts.

Regent Park Rose Garden

Afternoon Tea at a secret inner garden

This French-style afternoon tea is served at a museum's quiet
inner garden. I cannot tell the name of the museum because
my source wants to keep this place secret. I can only say that this
is near the Bond Street .

Victoria & Albert Museum

Shakespeare's Globe presents TIMON OF ATHENS

The Globe Theatre from the front.
While we are seating, the play has already started up on
the net. The spatial theatrical arrangements also extends Timon's
existential question on the meaning of human life to the theme which
goes beyond the historical setting in the Classical city of Athens.

St. Paul's from the Southwark

Queuing for the Proms

I joined the queue for the Proms again. . . .

Unfortunately, I couldn't get in tonight for the Berlin Phil concert.

London Tube

The escalator is very very long to get to the station finally. The system
is impressive. Although it's not as clean as Tokyo's subway and without
air conditioning, it's safe and convenient. Unlike New York's subway
system, it is not dangerous nor life-threatening. Even in midnight
many people are using the tube.

From the British Library to the British Museum

The museum is HUGE with important artifacts (including succesfully
smuggled or transported items) from ancient civilizations of the world.

A Bohemian neighborhood in the Russell Square area attracts people
to relax in the park.


The British Library is not-so-beautiful buiding but a great public space
with superb collections. I don't know why British people make such
inconvenient maze-like buildings all over London. . . . (sigh). This is
the case that the content exceed the form. This buiding must have been
mistakenly designed.

In spite of the weirdness of the architecture, the Library serves as an
excellent space not just for the scholars and students but for many
people just to stop by for lunch, dinner, or tea. This is one of the
excellent examples how Londoners use a public space so wisely to
be connected with others.