Next CIEE Kyoto Seminar - October 10, Professor Thomas Lockley

[Conor Aherne]

Dear colleagues (with apologies for cross-posting),

I’m delighted to announce the next talk in our CIEE Kyoto’s Seminar Series, on Friday, October 10 by Professor Thomas Lockley (Nihon University): 

A Gentleman from Japan: The Untold Story of An Incredible Journey from Asia to Queen Elizabeth’s Court

Abstract:

A Gentleman from Japan is the first book to focus on the beginning of relations between Japan and the English-speaking world between 1587 and 1592. It follows the life of 'Christopher' (as the English named him), an enslaved Japanese man in service to the Spanish who was captured by English pirates off California and taken to London. 

The pirate commander, Thomas Cavendish, cleverly presented Christopher and his four colleagues as noblemen, introducing them to the elite of England. When this deception was uncovered, the narrative took a dramatic turn, and Christopher's role transformed into that of a 'naturalist,' a term we would now equate to a scholar or scientist. Christopher's contributions to the emerging English scientific community included advice on Chinese compass construction, translating groundbreaking sea charts, and the first recorded writing of Japanese script in England.

The tale of Christopher, largely forgotten and never fully recounted until now, is a testament to the enduring impact of the first Japanese visitor to the English-speaking world. A Gentleman from Japan delves into the early-modern cross-cultural endeavor, intellectual exchange, perseverance, espionage, enslavement, and the challenges and hardships of Elizabethan seafaring. It presents an extraordinary sea story that upends the narrative of the Age of Exploration.

Please note this talk begins at 19:30 JST and will be run in hybrid format from CIEE Kyoto (6th Floor, Gion Classroom) with Zoom access available.

Format & Venue

• Time: 19:30–21:00 (JST), unless stated differently
• Location: CIEE Kyoto, 6th Floor, Gion Classroom and Zoom (hybrid)

Registration

Please register in advance for either in-person or online participation:

In-person (CIEE Kyoto): https://forms.office.com/r/MvyMYng44j

Zoom (online): 

https://ciee.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hglJEQBaQqaUl_AyWp-o5w#/registration

Schedule

The Fall schedule is attached to this announcement. We look forward to welcoming you, whether at CIEE Kyoto or online!

Best wishes,

Conor Aherne

CIEE Kyoto, Center Director