Hugh Cortazzi
Encyclopedia
Sir Arthur Henry Hugh Cortazzi, GCMG
(born 2 May 1924) is a British
diplomat. Best known as Hugh Cortazzi, he is also a distinguished international businessman, academic, author and prominent Japanologist. He was Ambassador from the United Kingdom to Japan (1980–84), President of the Asiatic Society of Japan
(1982–1983) and Chairman of the Japan Society of London (1985–95).
, St Andrews
and London
universities. He served in the Royal Air Force
from 1943 to 1947, after which he joined the Foreign Office.
(1950–1951) and to Tokyo
, (1951–1954). After returning to Whitehall
(1954–1958), he was posted to Bonn
(1958–1960). Another stint in Tokyo (1961–1965) preceded his return to London (1965–1966). Another posting in Tokyo (1966–1970) was followed by a different kind of opportunity at the Royal College of Defence Studies
(1971–1972), after which he was posted to Washington, D.C.
(1972–1975).
In 1975, Cortazzi was appointed Deputy Under-Secretary of State. The next few years in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(1975–1980) preceded his appointment as Her Majesty's Ambassador to Japan in 1980. In 1980, Sir Hugh was elevated to the rank of Knight Commander
the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George
. He spent the next four years in Tokyo.
ambassador to Japan, but in private life, he has continued to work promoting better Anglo-Japanese relations. In addition to the books he has since written or edited, he has regularly carved out time to write reviews and a recurring column in the Japan Times.
In 2006, Sir Hugh's translation of the Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito's account of his time at Oxford was published as The Thames and I.
Sir Hugh diversified his experiences with time spent as a Director of Hill Samuel & Co., later Hill Samuel Bank (1984–1991). He has been a Director of Director: Foreign and Colonial Pacific Trust since 1984; a Director of GT Japan Investment Trust since 1984; and a Director of Thornton Pacific (formerly Pacific) Investment Trust since 1986. Since 1992 he has served as Senior Adviser to a number of Japanese multi-national businesses with significant interests in the United Kingdom—such as, NEC Corporation, Dai-ichi Kangyo Bank, Bank of Kyoto.
Sir Hugh has been a member of the Economic and Social Research Council
(1984–1989); a member of the Council and Court, University of Sussex
(1985–1992); and Honorary Fellow of Robinson College, University of Cambridge
, (1988).
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), 1969.
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), 1980.
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), 1984.
, and Japanese history or culture. He has also written articles on Japanese themes in English and Japanese publications.
In a statistical overview derived from writings by and about Hugh Cortazzi, OCLC
/WorldCat
encompasses roughly 60+ works in 100+ publications in 4 languages and 4,000+ library holdings.
Editor
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(born 2 May 1924) is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
diplomat. Best known as Hugh Cortazzi, he is also a distinguished international businessman, academic, author and prominent Japanologist. He was Ambassador from the United Kingdom to Japan (1980–84), President of the Asiatic Society of Japan
Asiatic Society of Japan
The is a society of Japanese studies . Founded in 1872, the ASJ is Japan's oldest learned society.-Overview:The Asiatic Society of Japan was founded in 1872, five years after the Meiji restoration, at Yokohama by British and American residents - in particular missionaries, diplomats, businessmen...
(1982–1983) and Chairman of the Japan Society of London (1985–95).
Early life
His 1998 autobiography was published under the title, Japan and Back, and Places Elsewhere. Cortazzi was educated at Sedbergh SchoolSedbergh School
Sedbergh School is a boarding school in Sedbergh, Cumbria, for boys and girls aged 13 to 18. Nestled in the Howgill Fells, it is known for sporting sides, such as its Rugby Union 1st XV.-Background:...
, St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
and London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
universities. He served in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
from 1943 to 1947, after which he joined the Foreign Office.
Diplomatic career
After the War, the British Foreign Office posted Cortazzi to SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
(1950–1951) and to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, (1951–1954). After returning to Whitehall
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road in Westminster, in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards Charing Cross at the southern end of Trafalgar Square...
(1954–1958), he was posted to Bonn
Bonn
Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999....
(1958–1960). Another stint in Tokyo (1961–1965) preceded his return to London (1965–1966). Another posting in Tokyo (1966–1970) was followed by a different kind of opportunity at the Royal College of Defence Studies
Royal College of Defence Studies
The Royal College of Defence Studies is an internationally-renowned institution and component of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom...
(1971–1972), after which he was posted to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
(1972–1975).
In 1975, Cortazzi was appointed Deputy Under-Secretary of State. The next few years in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
(1975–1980) preceded his appointment as Her Majesty's Ambassador to Japan in 1980. In 1980, Sir Hugh was elevated to the rank of Knight Commander
Knight Commander
Knight Commander is the second most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are dormant . The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before his or her name...
the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
. He spent the next four years in Tokyo.
Businessman
Sir Hugh retired from public service after his years as BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
ambassador to Japan, but in private life, he has continued to work promoting better Anglo-Japanese relations. In addition to the books he has since written or edited, he has regularly carved out time to write reviews and a recurring column in the Japan Times.
In 2006, Sir Hugh's translation of the Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito's account of his time at Oxford was published as The Thames and I.
Sir Hugh diversified his experiences with time spent as a Director of Hill Samuel & Co., later Hill Samuel Bank (1984–1991). He has been a Director of Director: Foreign and Colonial Pacific Trust since 1984; a Director of GT Japan Investment Trust since 1984; and a Director of Thornton Pacific (formerly Pacific) Investment Trust since 1986. Since 1992 he has served as Senior Adviser to a number of Japanese multi-national businesses with significant interests in the United Kingdom—such as, NEC Corporation, Dai-ichi Kangyo Bank, Bank of Kyoto.
Sir Hugh has been a member of the Economic and Social Research Council
Economic and Social Research Council
The Economic and Social Research Council is one of the seven Research Councils in the United Kingdom. It receives most of its funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and provides funding and support for research and training work in social and economic issues, such as...
(1984–1989); a member of the Council and Court, University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
(1985–1992); and Honorary Fellow of Robinson College, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, (1988).
Honors
- University of StirlingUniversity of StirlingThe University of Stirling is a campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967, on the Airthrey Estate in Stirling, Scotland.-History and campus development:...
, Honorary doctorate, 1988. - Order of the Sacred TreasureOrder of the Sacred TreasureThe is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
, Grand Cordon (Japan), 1995.
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), 1969.
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), 1980.
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), 1984.
Selected works
Sir Hugh has written, edited, translated or contributed to a number of books on the history of Anglo-Japanese relationsAnglo-Japanese relations
The history of the relationship between Britain and Japan began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams on the shores of Kyūshū at Usuki in Ōita Prefecture...
, and Japanese history or culture. He has also written articles on Japanese themes in English and Japanese publications.
In a statistical overview derived from writings by and about Hugh Cortazzi, OCLC
OCLC
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. is "a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world’s information and reducing information costs"...
/WorldCat
WorldCat
WorldCat is a union catalog which itemizes the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries and territories which participate in the Online Computer Library Center global cooperative...
encompasses roughly 60+ works in 100+ publications in 4 languages and 4,000+ library holdings.
- 2009 – Japan in Late Victorian London: The Japanese Native Village in Knightsbridge and 'The Mikado', 1885, Sainsbury Institute, 2009 ISBN 9545921-1-53
- 2009 – Introduction to A Diplomat in Japan Part II: The Diaries of Sir Ernest Satow, 1870-1883, lulu.com
- 2007 – Britain & Japan: Biographical Portraits, vol. VI. Folkestone, Kent: Global OrientalGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
. [reprinted by University of Hawaii PressUniversity of Hawaii PressThe University of Hawaii Press is a university press that is part of the University of Hawaii.The University of Hawaii Press was founded in 1947, with the mission of advancing and disseminating scholarship by publishing current research in all disciplines of the humanities and natural and social...
, Honolulu, 2007. 10-ISBN 1-905-24633-1/13-ISBN 978-190-524633-5 (cloth)] - 2005 – Britain & Japan: Biographical Portraits, vol. V. Folkestone, Kent: Global OrientalGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
. 10-ISBN 1-901-90348-6; 13-ISBN 978-1-901-90348-5 (cloth) - 2003 – Britain & Japan: Biographical Portraits, vol. IV. London: CurzonCurzonCurzon may refer to:As a British family name, it particularly refers to the Curzon family, and is an Anglo-Norman territorial name. The Curzon family was involved in the Norman Conquest, and is named after the French town of Notre-Dame-de-Courson in Normandy from which they hail; their seat is at...
. 10-ISBN 1-903-35014-X/13-ISBN 978-190-335014-0 (Cloth) - 2001 – British Envoys in Japan, 1859–1972. Folkestone, Kent: Japan LibraryGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
. ISBN 1-901-90351-6. - 2001 – Japan Experiences : Fifty Years, One Hundred Views Post-War Japan Through British Eyes, 1945-2000, Folkstone Kent: Japan LibraryGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
. 10-ISBN 1-903-35004-2/13-ISBN 978-190-335004-1 (cloth) - 2000 – Collected Writings of Sir Hugh Cortazzi, vol. II; London: Routledge. 10-ISBN 1-873-41096-4 (cloth)
- 1998 – Japan and Back and Places Elsewhere [reprinted University of Hawaii PressUniversity of Hawaii PressThe University of Hawaii Press is a university press that is part of the University of Hawaii.The University of Hawaii Press was founded in 1947, with the mission of advancing and disseminating scholarship by publishing current research in all disciplines of the humanities and natural and social...
, Honolulu, 2000; 10-ISBN 1-901-90320-6/13-ISBN 978-1-901-90320-1 (cloth)] - 1995 – Caught in Time: Japan (with Terry Bennett). Boston: WeatherhillShambhala PublicationsShambhala Publications is an independent publishing company based in Boston, Massachusetts. According to the company, it specializes in "books that present creative and conscious ways of transforming the individual, the society, and the planet". Many of its books deal with Buddhism or related topics...
; 10-ISBN 0-834-80343-7/13-ISBN 978-0-834-80343-5 (cloth) - 1994 – Japan. New York: Paul & Co. Publishers Consortium; 10-ISBN 1-873-93855-1/13-ISBN 978-187-393855-3
- 1993 – Modern Japan: a concise survey [reprinted by Palgrave MacMillanPalgrave MacmillanPalgrave Macmillan is an international academic and trade publishing company, headquartered in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom and with offices in New York, Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, Delhi, Johannesburg. It was created in 2000 when St...
, Basingstoke, Hampshire, 2006; 10-ISBN 0-333-54340-8/13-ISBN 978-0-333-54340-5 (paper)] - 1992 – Britain and Japan 1859-1991: Themes and Personalities (with Gordon Daniels). London: Routledge; 10-ISBN 0-415-05966-6/ 13-ISBN 978-0-415-05966-4 (cloth)
- 1990 – The Japanese Achievement: a short history of Japan and Japanese culture. London: Sidgwick & JacksonSidgwick & JacksonSidgwick & Jackson is an imprint of publishing company Pan Macmillan. It was founded in Britain in 1908. Notable early Sidgwick and Jackson authors include poet Rupert Brooke and novelist E.M. Forster...
; 10-ISBN 0-283-99647-1 [reprinted by Palgrave MacMillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire: 1990; 10-ISBN 0-312-04237-X/13-ISBN 978-0-312-04237-0 (cloth)] - 1988 – Kipling's Japan, (with George Webb); London: Continuum InternationalContinuum International Publishing GroupThe Continuum International Publishing Group is a publisher of books, with its editorial offices in London and New York City. It had been owned by Nova Capital Management since 2005...
; 10-ISBN 0-485-11348-1/13-ISBN 978-0-485-11348-8 (cloth) - 1987 – Victorians in Japan: in and around the Treaty Ports, London: Continuum InternationalContinuum International Publishing GroupThe Continuum International Publishing Group is a publisher of books, with its editorial offices in London and New York City. It had been owned by Nova Capital Management since 2005...
; 10-ISBN 0-485-11312-0/13-ISBN 978-0-485-11312-9 (cloth) - 1987 – Japanese Encounter, Tokyo: Eichosha Shinsha
- 1987 – Zoku, Higashi no Shimaguni, Nishi no Shimaguni
- 1986 – Second Thoughts (essays). Tokyo: Eichosha Shinsha
- 1985 – Dr. Willis in Japan, 1862–1877: British Medical Pioneer, London: Athlone Press/ Continuum International; 10-ISBN 0-485-11264-7/13-ISBN 978-0-485-11264-1 (cloth)
- 1984 – Higashi No Shimaguni, Nishi No Shimaguni (collection of articles and speeches in Japanese)
- 1984 – For Japanese students of English: Thoughts from a Sussex Garden (essays), Tokyo: Eichosha Shinsha
- 1983 – Isle of Gold: Antique Maps of Japan Boston: Weatherhill; 10-ISBN0834801841/13-ISBN 978-0-834-80184-4 (cloth)
- 1980 – The Lucky One and Other Humorous Stories
- 1972 – The Guardian God of Golf and other humorous stories [reprinted as The Lucky One, 1980]
Editor
- 2004 – Hiro no Miya NaruhitoNaruhito, Crown Prince of Japanis the eldest son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, which makes him the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne of Japan.-Early life and education:...
. The Thames and I: A Memoir Of Two Years At Oxford (tr., Hugh Cortazzi). Folkestone, Kent: Global OrientalGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
. - 2000 – Shillony, Ben-Ami. Collected Writings of Ben-Ami Shillony (eds., Carmen Blacker and Hugh Cortazzi). London: Routledge; 10-ISBN 1-873-41099-9 (cloth)
- 1991 – East, Sir AlfredAlfred EastSir Alfred Edward East was an English painter.He was born in Kettering in Northamptonshire and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. His romantic landscapes show the influence of the Barbizon school. His The Art of Landscape Painting in Oil Colour was published in 1906...
. A British Artist in Meiji Japan (ed., Hugh Cortazzi) - reprinted by Weatherhill, Boston, 1997. 10-ISBN 1-873-04705-3/13-ISBN 978-1-873-04705-7 (cloth)] - 1991 – Brunton, Richard Henry. Building Japan, 1868–1876 (ed., Hugh Cortazzi). Folkstone Kent: Japan LibraryGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
; 10-ISBN 1-873-41005-0/13-ISBN 978-1-873-41005-9 (cloth) - 1985 – Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford. Mitford's Japan: Memories and Recollections, 1866-1906 (ed., Hugh Cortazzi). London: Athlone Press/Continuum International; 10-ISBN 0-485-11275-2/13-ISBN 978-0-485-11275-7 (cloth)) [reprintd by Global OrientalGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
, Folkestone, Kent, 2003; 10-ISBN 1-903-35007-7/13-ISBN 978-1-903-35007-2 (paper)] - 1982 – Fraser, Mary Crawford FraserMary Crawford FraserMary Crawford Fraser , usually known as Mrs. Hugh Fraser, was an American writer noted for her various memoirs and historical novels....
. A Diplomat's Wife in Japan: Sketches at the Turn of the Century (ed., Hugh Cortazzi). Boston: Weatherhill; 10-ISBN 0-834-80172-8 (cloth) - 1972 – Keita Genji. The Ogre and other stories of the Japanese Salarymen (tr., Hugh Cortazzi). Tokyo: Japan Times.
See also
- Heads of the United Kingdom Mission in Japan
- Anglo-Japanese relationsAnglo-Japanese relationsThe history of the relationship between Britain and Japan began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams on the shores of Kyūshū at Usuki in Ōita Prefecture...
- Global OrientalGlobal OrientalGlobal Oriental is an imprint of the Dutch publishing house Brill . It used to be trade publishing company based in Kent, United Kingdom. It is the publisher of scholarly books on Japan and East Asia in fields such as History, Martial Arts, Arts and Literature...
-- Cortazzi on publisher's Advisory Board