Tokyo Fulbright Association Alumni Meeting 2009

Tokyo Fulbright Associaton held the 2009 Alumni Meeting at the
Hotel New Otani on Wednesday, May 27. Mr. George Hara, CEO of
the Defta Partners, was the guest speaker and attracted about 400
people. His emphasis on supporting core technologies for future
development in the approaching post-computer age impressed
many. What he has been doing in Bangladesh for medical and
science technology is amazing. Instead of making the stock
market as the center, his business model provides circular
movement throughout the world as the site of economic activities.
Not only the develped countries, such as US and Europe, but
the developing countries participate as major actors in this model.
What a dynamic architect of business Mr. Hara is!!

Laurel Thacher Ulrich Lecture

After the seminar at Komaba Station

Lunch at Le Pollen, Jiyugaoka

Arisa is now a high-school student. She just got a classic guitar at
Yamagiwa Music store thanks to her generous aunties.

Komaba in Green

Greens shine in the rain at Komaba, U of Tokyo campus. (April 25)

Flowers gone but parties still going on . . .

Most of somei-yoshino sakura flowers have gone but still many people
were partying at the Komazawa Olympic Park under the sakura trees.

Joggers going through drinking parties
Komazawa St. outside the park is becoming an area for nice
restaurants these days. This ramen-noodle shop attracts customers
especially on weekends. Jojoen Berbecue House, Babbi Icecream
& Chocolate shop, and a sushi restaurant line up on the street.
So, it is very difficult for me to resist a sweet temptation after
exercising at the Olympic Park. . . . Today's choices are seasonal
sakura and caramel nuts.

Sakura in Jiyugaoka, April 7

Sakura is still in full bloom in Jiyugaoka. Many people are enjoying
spring afternoon under the trees.

Afternoon tea set at the Afternoon Tea

Arts & Crafts Exhibit at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

This exhibit traces the Arts & Crafts movement's influence to the early
20th century Britain, Europe, and Japan. William Morris and others
under the influence of the aesthetic theory presented by John Ruskin
started combining modern technological products with traditional
as well as folk arts. As Pre-Raphaelites went back to the Medieval roots
as their artistic inspiration, the members of this movement took motifs
from traditional European and Isramic arts. They also took inspiration
from nature as they were expressed in English country houses such as
the Red House. (Mackintosh House at the Glosgow University museum
also expresses the concept of this movement. )

The concept of the movement -- combination of life and art -- went
from England to Scotland, Austria, Germany, then to Japan.
Soetsu Yanagi was the main theorist as for the Japanese "Mingei"
movement.

This exhibit goes until Sunday, April 5th. Enjoy Sakura in Ueno
and the excellent curatorial work at the museum.
(These images are from the exhibition websites)
Living room in Mikuni-So (三国荘) created by Yanagi and his group.