Prior to becoming Crown Prince of Japan in 1989, following the death of his grandfather Emperor Showa, Prince Naruhito studied at Merton College, Oxford, from June 1983 to October 1985. His research topic was the River Thames as a commercial highway in the eighteenth century. This marked the first time that anyone in direct succession to the throne had ever studied outside Japan. In 1992, he published a record of his time at Oxford under the title Thames no tomo ni . The memoir, which includes a colour plate section incorporating photographs taken by the Prince, explores his daily life, studies and recreational experiences, including discovering beer and being banned from entering a disco because he was wearing jeans. The Thames and I is a remarkable record, not least because of its candour, but equally because it reveals the Crown Prince as an individual, including his personal charm and sense of humour. It will be of special interest to those wishing to know more about the future emperor of Japan.
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title
- Copyright
- Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales
- Preface to the English edition by HIH Crown Prince Naruhito
- Contents
- Foreword to the Paperback edition by David Warren
- Preface to the Japanese edition (1992)
- Translator’s Note by Hugh Cortazzi
- The Gakushūin
- 1. Ten Days in the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence
- Arrival in London
- Life in the ambassador’s residence
- First visit to Oxford
- Excursion by the Thames
- 2. Life in Colonel Hall’s House
- I move to Colonel Hall’s
- Studying English
- Life in the Hall household
- Second visit to Oxford and call at Professor Mathias’s house
- Visit to Scotland
- Last month at the Halls
- 3. Entering Oxford
- Arrival at Merton
- Before matriculation
- University Entrance ceremony
- 4. About Oxford
- ‘Dreaming spires’
- ‘Town and Gown’ – a brief history of Oxford University
- College system
- Education at Oxford and regular activities in the University
- Merton
- 5. Daily Life at Oxford
- In the mornings
- Middle Common Room (MCR)
- Shopping and the English character
- Draughts and baths
- Dinner
- High table
- Weekends
- Family visits
- With Oxford students
- 6. Cultural Life at Oxford
- Films, theatre and music
- Enjoying chamber music
- Visit to places associated with musicians: England and music
- 7. Sport
- Rowing
- Tennis and Squash
- Jogging, climbing, skiing and other sporting activities
- 8. Life as a Research Student at Oxford
- Why I decided to do research on the Thames as a highway
- Professor Mathias
- Visiting record offices
- Dr Highfield
- Preparing my thesis
- Canals past and future
- 9. Travels in Britain and Abroad
- Weekend drives in the countryside around Oxford
- Trips in Britain involving overnight stays
- Travelling round Europe and meeting European royal families
- 10. Looking Back on My Two Years’ Stay
- The English people as I saw them
- On Leaving Britain
- Postscript
- Bibliography
- Index
- Back Cover
Text
Audio
Adobe DRM
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