Volume 04, Number 09
Partyline
April 14 and it has been a beautiful, yet busy day. I started out at the Thai Embassy where Ambassador Suvidhya Simaskul and his wife, Boontipa, hosted a wonderful garden party to celebrate Songkran (Thai New Year). I had sort of planned on going to Chengmai in Northern Thailand for Songkran, but got involved in too much here. I did go a few years ago, and believe me, that was fun.
There were other Thailand related happenings as well. Over at the Grand Hyatt, there was a well attended sayonara for Thai Airways General Manager, M.L. Bhudhisaren Varavarn. Buddy, as his friends call him is at his new post in London now. I'll have the photos and a rundown on the party later.
Thai friends visiting Tokyo included former Ambassador to Japan, Sakthip Krairiksh and his wife Benchapa. After they left Japan he became secretary of tourism and sports in Bangkok. He's retiring soon but I am sure he will be very active in the private sector. Still on Thailand, Anri Schroff, Thai Airways international spokesperson, who I interviewed for our March 16 issue dropped by Tokyo for a week before going on to Rome, Milan and finally Valencia, Spain for the Louis Vuitton American Cup. You can see the gorgeous Anri on her TV show, Around the World with Anri Schroff, on BS Asahi TV. She'll also soon be doing programs on two more of my favorite destinations—Sri Lanka and Rajasthan. Anri's working with well known producer Jiro Ishikawa. Years ago—more than I would like to think about—Jiro helped me get a job as a fashion editor of a Japanese weekly men's magazine. The world get's smaller, and I am glad it does.
Two more of the world's nicest people, former Tokyoites, Ron and Maria Anderson, were able to fly in from New York City for a week, and everyone I know were so happy to see them again. Ron, a top executive at A.I.G left NYC early and had a couple of work stops in Shanghai and Seoul before meeting Maria here in Tokyo. Maria, who is Lebanese, was the popular President of the International Ladies' Benevolent Society for the year of ILBS'S 50th Anniversary when she lived in Tokyo. With all the friends they have here, and at the request of so many, like last year, they returned to Tokyo for the ILBS ball. As expected, there were all kinds of special get togethers for Ron and Maria during their all-too-short stay here. I'll have a rundown and photos on some of them later.
As I am sure you know, the Ireland festival, 2007 to celebrate St. Patrick's Day was bigger, better and greener than ever! I'll save photos and coverage of Ambassador Brendan Scannell and his wife, Margaret's super party at the Okura Hotel's Ascot Hall until later. The party was to celebrate St Patrick's Day, the Irish National Day and to mark 50 years of Ireland–Japan Diplomatic relations. More on that and the parade etc, later.
This column lets move back to the 49th floor of the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hill's where an enthusiastic and interesting crowd (wall to wall people) gathered to watch the Tokyo Tower all lit up green. The sponsor for the extravaganza was the company Glen Dimplex Japan. Products include super design heaters, and beautiful electric fireplaces.
HIH Princess Takamado was special guest and as you can see from the photo, she looked marvelous in green for the Tokyo Tower lighting and the Emerald Ball later that evening. It was an interesting gathering that included a well-known Japanese singer, an actor, a food designer and a half Japanese, half Irish soccer player. When I introduced the soccer player to Princess Takamado, I learned she was President of the Japan Football Association. Kudos to the amazing lady who is involved in so many worthwhile activities.
My sincerest thanks to Tunisian Ambassador Salah Hannachi for his kind invitation to the Tunisian night at the City Club of Tokyo. The evening was one of the activities for Tunisian week at the club. Others included an Ambassador forum on cuisine and culture. The Rose party, as it was called was held with the supprt of Monaco Protocole. Guests, for the most part, were young Japanese women there to enjoy the Tunisian food, the music and to make new friends. Most I learned were students of Yurie Hatanaka, the wife of Monaco Protocole (a private company) President Jean Henry Tamenne. She, I was told, holds classes to teach Western manners and customs. In a message from Jean Henry I was told Protocole Monaco made a donation from the Rose party to the Tunisian Embassy to contribute to the effort to improve the conditions of life in Tunisian rural areas. If you read my column you know Tunisia is a country that I love. I've been there 14 times and can honestly say each time was one of the travel experiences of my life. I'm really concerned now about the trouble in Morocco and Algeria, and pray it doesn't spread across North Africa.
It was a star studded evening when Nobu opened his new Nobu Tokyo on the first floor of Toranomon Towers behind the Okura Hotel. Guests were greeted at the entrance by Nobu's daughter Junko, who looked super chic in traditional kimono. The chic well-designed restaurant with it's wooden floors, long open kitchen, soft lighting and comfortable furniture all added up to something very special. The highlight of the evening for me was spending some time with long time friend, Robert De Niro and his wife Grace. Bobby as most of you know is Nobu's business partner, and there was another long time friend, Meir Teper with them. He handles the business and new projects for Nobu's.
It was nice seeing Kaz and Fran Kuzui, they made their fame with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and are involved in all kinds of new film projects. I hadn't seen actor Masaya Kato for a while and was happy to have the opportunity to congratulate him on two recent and successful films Brothers and Unfair. It was also great seeing pop singer Anri. She and her ex, Ken (nephew of designer Yamamoto Kansai) used to party at the Lex. Anri's escort that evening was a member of the Hawaiian band Kapolana. They used to party at the Lex as well.
Our congratulations to Nobu, Bobby, Meir and Junko on their new Tokyo eatery. Needless to say, they're busy. Watch for Nobu's in Dubai.
"People always wonder what an art gallery owner's home looks like—so I have invited a group of friends, customers and artists to my place," Tolman Gallery's Norman Tolman told me. My thanks for being included as it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with Norman and an interesting assortment of people. His home, a Homat apartment near the Okura, is tastefully decorated and very comfortable. There is of course, a lot of really great art, much of it Chinese.
Congratulations to Jane Yonimine who just celebrated the 44th year of her internationally renowned pearl business. Jane's satisfied customers include the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Martin Scorcese and several US Presidents. Check out her shop on the fifth floor of the arts shop across from the Roppongi police box. Tel 03-3402-4001.
To do: The fifth annual Wings of Love celebration of culture, couture and cuisine, "Festival of India" will be held at Hilton Tokyo's Kiku Ballroom on the evening of May 25. This years colorful, elegant and enjoyable event will feature sitar and violin music, a special performance of Indian dance, jewelry from the best known brands of India and highly acclaimed Japanese jewelry designer Kazuo Ogawa, and fashion by Kiyoshi Yamamoto. For a truly gourmet dinner several chefs will fly in from India to work with the Hilton's food and beverage department. Proceeds of the evening will go to Birdlife International and HIH Princess Takamado, who is honorary president of the organization is special guest for the very worthwhile event. For reservations / information call Taj Enterprises Miss Koshiji on 03-5561-3331.
Good news for some: the new Lex opens May 11, same place. Check it out. More next week on the opening.