Fascinated by the story of William Adams, or ‘Anjin’ (his Japanese name), since his days as a research student in Japan, Professor Richard Irving of Kwansei Gakuin University, is currently researching the life of Adams, the first officially-recognised western Samurai, for a book and has material which will shed new light on the life of Anjin. Professor Irving will give a talk on this fascinating historical figure who was a pioneer of UK-Japan relations. He will tell the story of Adams and Nihonbashi, and its ‘role’ in the building of Edo castle, also touching upon the Adams monument in Nihonbashi and the naming of Anjin-cho in Tokyo. Professor Timon Screech of SOAS, University of London, who is co-organiser of this year’s Japan 400 celebration of 400 years of UK-Japan relations, will act as chair for this timely event which explores the shared history of the UK and Japan.
The event is free of charge. Book online at http://www.dajf.org.uk/events/booking-form.
For more information, please see http://www.dajf.org.uk/event/who-was-william-adams