The Asiatic Society of Japan

The Netherlands Ambassador has very generously offered to host the March lecture-meeting at his Residence with a buffet reception after his lecture. The Society is indeed fortunate to be invited to hold its meeting in such beautiful surroundings, but unfortunately the limitations of space mean that only 60 members will be able to attend, and no guests. The application period for this event will be from Thursday 4th March until Monday 15th March; applications made to the ASJ office will be dealt with on a first-come first-served basis. There will also be a waiting list. Those whose applications are accepted will receive a letter of confirmation in due course. The April, May and June lectures will not be limited in numbers, and the Society looks forward to welcoming many members and guests to these lecture-meetings.

Topic

An Interim Emperor and a Permanent Capital:
Why China Made Such a Seemingly Eccentric Choice of Capital.

About Our Speaker

Dr. de Heer graduated from the University of Leiden in 1975, specializing in Sinology. In 1987 he received his doctorate in Sinology from the same university.

He entered the Foreign Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1975. After serving in Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington, Singapore and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, he became Assistant Director, European Integration Department (1988-1992), and Assistant to the Director-General for Political Affairs (1992-1995). From 1995-2000 he was given a special appointment as Principal Secretary to Her Majesty the Queen. Then, after serving for one year as Director of the Asia and Oceania Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was appointed Dutch Ambassador to China, from August 2001, to June 2005. From then until September 2007, he was Secretary-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After sabbatical leave until July 2008, which included two months' stay at Nagasaki University, he took up his present appointment as Dutch Ambassador to Japan.

Abstract

In the year 1449, the Oirat-Mongols once again invaded Northern China. The Chinese counterattack was led by the Emperor himself. The defenders were defeated near Tumu, not far from the present-day Great Wall tourist trap Badaling, and the Emperor was captured. Attempts by the Oirat-Khan Esen to gain control of Beijing by using his imperial hostage failed after the minister of war Yu Qian forced the court and bureaucracy to stand firm. He saved the dynasty, but the result was that henceforth China's military and political centre was situated far from the economic heartland of that nation. This eccentric and exposed position of China's capital had long-lasting consequences for the further development of the Ming state, and its views on the outside world.

Coming meetings

Monday, April 19th, Prof. Anne Walthall, University of California, Irvine, on "Diaries of Women during the Edo Period" at Shibuya Kyōiku Gakuen.

Monday, May 10th, Dr. George Sioris, on "The Ordination of Women in Theravada Buddhism" at Kōmyōji Temple, 3-25-1 Toranomon.