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.

Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales
Preface to the English edition by HIH Crown Prince Naruhito

Foreword to the Paperback edition by David Warren

Preface to the Japanese edition (1992)

Translator’s Note by Hugh Cortazzi

The Gakush?in

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: 32

‘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

Photographs taken by HIH The Crown Prince

Enjoying chamber music

Visits 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 and 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