2007/2008 Calendar of Events and Council Meetings So ciety of

N ew sletter S um m er 2007 COUNCIL MONTH EVENT MEETINGS 2007 Sep-07 Monday 24th Monday 3rd Drinks Reception

Oct-07 Monday 29th Monday 1st

Nov-07 Monday 26th Monday 5th Fundraiser for Scholarships

2008 Jan-08 Monday 28th Monday 7th Burns/Karaoke Night

Feb-08 Monday 26th Monday 4th Film Night & Discussion

Mar-08 Eating out event? Monday 3rd

Apr-08 Monday 28th Monday 7th Cherry Blossom Fundraiser

May-08 Saturday 27th Monday 12th West Coast Japan Day

Jun-08 Garden Festival Involvement? Monday 2nd AGM

Jul-08 First Council Meeting of 2007/8 Monday 7th

16 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected].

Scotland Serves up Japan’s Those not willing to shell out the best Welcome to the summer 2007 part of £50 for a taste of this luxurious newsletter for the Japan Society of Famous Kobe Beef beef can opt for the more affordable Scotland. It is with great pleasure that I priced Kobe Burger, on The Grill's menu join the council as newsletter editor, for a reasonable £16.95. relocating to Edinburgh after a two year Sushi restaurants and noodle bars are a stint on the JET programme in the little common sight in Britain these days, but About Kobe Beef known and rather rural prefecture of a restaurant in Scotland has now Fukui. brought one of Japan’s most renowned delicacies to our shores. It is the even distribution of the meat's During my time in Fukui I was co-editor high fat content and the marbling that of JETfuel - a magazine for English The Grill On The Corner on Bothwell makes Kobe Beef so sought-after, and speakers in the area. My two years in Street, Glasgow, has recently started which has led to it being dubbed 'white Fukui were not only full of cultural selling Japan’s steak' in some exploration, but also adventures into the Kobe beef. quarters. rural delights of the ken. I spent many wonderful days exploring the deserted Kobe beef comes In these health- mountain lakes in my kayak, cross from Wagyu cattle, conscious times, country skiing across snow covered rice that are said to be meat that contains paddies (trying to keep up with my 12 hand massaged a large proportion year old students!) and walking through and fed on a diet of fat might not bamboo forests with Shiro – the school that includes beer seem desirable, dog. which gives the but its fans claim meat a deliciously that because I am delighted to be able to maintain my rich flavour, wagyu has a high Walking Shiro the school dog over links and interest in Japan by becoming tenderness, and percentage of snow covered ri ce paddies, Ono, the editor of the JSS newsletter. fatty well-marbled Fukui, Japan monounsaturated texture, qualities Kobe cattle are said to be hand fat, as opposed to Sam Baldwin enhanced by the massaged, and fed a diet that includes the saturated OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY traditional (and well beer variety, it is actually guarded) methods good for you. A Honorary President - H.E. The Japanese Ambassador Contents Honorary Vice - President - Consul-General of Japan of raising Kobe beef. claim I’m not personally convinced by! Edinburgh Honorary Patron - Mr. James Howat (Order of the S ouvenir t-shirt at sumo tournament…….cover Now other establishments in Scotland Health considerations aside, it is the M essage from Consul General………………..3 Rising Sun) Honorary Vice-Patron - Mr. James Wardrop are following The Grill’s lead and are unique marbling of wagyu beef that T he Gallery………. ……………..……………...4 Japanese Gardeners and Other Species…....6 Council Chairman - Rev. Professor Stuart D.B. Picken adding Kobe beef to their menus too. makes it literally melt in the mouth. C hairman’s Report…………………………….10 Hon. Secretary - Mr. Charles Edmond Sad Farewells…………… …………………....13 Hon. Treasurer - Mr. Ken Forman The Scottish -Glover House News..14 Membership Secretary - Mr. Tim Steward But this Japanese delicacy doesn’t Wagyu's characteristics mean that it Scotland Serves Up Japa n’s Kobe Beef……15 Newsletter Editor - Mr. Sam Baldwin come cheap - served simply with soy has to be prepared in a different way JSS Events and Council Calendar…………..16 JET Association Liaison - Ms. Janice Leary sauce and a wasabi potato mash, the from other beef. Council Members: meat sells at £44 for a portion - which We are always interested to receive any Mr. Geoff Goolnik weighs about 100g. However, despite Mr. Edward Blake No oil is needed in the cooking process, Japan-Scotland related news, articles and the high price, the beef has been selling photogra phs. Ms. Emi Sakamoto and it takes just two minutes to sear and Ms. Saeko Yasaki well to people who are keen to serve the meat. Ironically, Japan now Dr. Helen Parker Please email contributions to: experience one of the food world's more imports around 30% of its beef from jssnewsletter@go oglemail.com Mrs. Morag Thomson exotic luxuries. Australia and the US. JSS Scottish Charity Number No SC 03709

2 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 15 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected].

The Scottish Samurai; Message from the Consul with Mr Alex Johnstone MSP, to 2007 hours of opening are commemorate the life and work of Glover House News Thursday through to Monday, General Thomas Blake Glover, and through the 11am to 4 pm (closed Tuesday course of my tenure there have been Glover House in was the and Wednesday). Other times by Mr Shuhei Takahashi many lectures on the link between home of Thomas Blake Glover ((1838- arrangement Scotland and Japan by Professor Kita 1911), The “Scottish Samurai”, who was from Soka University. Since my arrival in Scotland back in one of the founders of Heavy Admission is £3 for adults, £2 for September 2004, I have felt most Industries Ltd in , Japan. The children and other concessions fortunate to live and work in a country These are certainly encouraging signs house Thomas built for his parents was and a family group (2 adults, 2 with such a strong affinity and that the special connection between our given by Mitsubishi in 1997 to the children) is £7. connection to Japan. two countries continues to strengthen Thomas Blake Glover Trust and has over time and with these solid been restored to its former Victorian There is some parking at the foundations, I believe we can only serve splendour with many original details and Due to my love of history, I have house and limited disabled to increase mutual understanding. features. thoroughly enjoyed researching the access. First Bus route no 1 (Red historical link between our two countries Line) from Aberdeen City Centre and the essential role Scotland and its Over the last few years, I have also Thomas Blake Glover’s family lived at to Danestone stops just outside people played in the modernisation of been greatly heartened to see that the Bridge of Don from 1849, moving to this the gate. Japan. Japan Society of house in 1864. Scotland is continuing to flourish, 20 years Thomas Blake Glover is today revered I know you will be very after its inception. in the land of the rising sun, as being familiar with the names of one of the founders of modern Thomas Blake Glover, William Burton, and With the growing Japan. He had a crucial role in the number of Japanese industrialisation of Japan and in the Professor , amongst others. However, societies such as the introduction of Western developments in Japanese Residents manufacturing, while helping to I was delighted to discover that these historical figures Association, the overthrow the Shogun and restoring the Aberdeen Friends of rightful heir to the Imperial Throne. His continue to play a vital part in the promotion of Japan, the university personal life may also have provided societies of Edinburgh, the basis for the Madam Butterfly story, Scottish and Japanese relations today. Glasgow and St. immortalised in the opera by Puccini. Andrews, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, I very much hope that the The house has been recreated as During my time as Consul General, I Japan Society of Scotland will assume a Glover would have known it in the have been honoured to participate in a central and active role in bringing these 1860s, and a guided tour will help you number of events celebrating the separate groups together. Such co- to explore Glover’s story. Visitors will achievements of these individuals thus operation could see the promotion of see an authentic Victorian Parlour, helping to introduce them to a whole Japan in Scotland greatly enhanced. Dining Room, Bedroom and Victorian new audience. Kitchen, as well as admiring Samurai I am also confident the Consulate armour and other Japanese In September 2006, there were several General of Japan will continue to have a memorabilia. events held in Aberdeen and Edinburgh good relationship with the Japan in recognition of the contribution made Society of Scotland for many more Glover House was gifted by Mitsubishi by William Burton to the modernisation years to come and together we can Statue of Thomas Blake Glover in of Japan’s water supply system in the Co to the Grampian Japan Trust in 1987, , Nagasaki, Japan th promote and deepen the friendship that and it is now managed by Aberdeen late 19 century. Last June, the exists between Scotland and Japan.

City Council with the support of the City Consulate General of Japan co-hosted Growth Fund Energising Aberdeen. a reception at the Scottish Parliament 14 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 3 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected].

The Gallery cooperation and support, for use of the past, and sincerely ask for continued basement facilities on more help in the year ahead. We need to 1 than one occasion. Helen Parker hosted raise the profile of the Society and to most of the Council Meetings at awaken people to the centrality Mr. Tomoyuki Naoi, Buccleugh Place, and Morag Thomson of Japan-Scotland relations as a corner- personal chef of the Consul kindly hosted the meeting at which stone of international business General demon strates the presentations were made. To the relations based on a truly global the making of sushi at last many others who helped in various strategy. year's opening event in ways, I offer my thanks. September 2006 at As Chairman, I would like to thank Rev. Professor Stuart D.B. Picken the Prestonfield House everyone for their support in the Hotel.

Interpreting is Suzie Huggins, former PA to the Consul General .

2

The Consul General and Mrs. Takahashi with the Chairman, Dr. Picken and Mrs. Pi cken at the 20th Anniversary Dinner at the Dunblane Hydro in October 2006.

Sad Farewells

Oliver Maclauchlan, a founding member of the Society, w ho had a long 3 interest in East Asia, and Ian Harkness, a Council member for many years and Chairman from 2003 until 2006 both pass ed away quite The Japan-Scotland Society unexpectedly this year. from Japan made a visit to Scotland during 2006 and Oliver was present at the Anniversary Dinner, and Ian attended a special travelled extensively a round the country. The group of Council Meeting to receive Honorary Membership and a symbolic gift from 20 members had a happy the Society for his years of service. Both will be deeply missed, Ours tour and were ente rtained by thoughts are with their nearest and dearest at this time, and we wish them all the Consul General at his comfort and blessing. residence in Edinburgh. On the right is the Dire ctor, Mr. Takeru Sato.

4 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 13 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected].

Edinburgh. It was suggested that at the AGM. for the 2008 event, the Society should co-operate. The Society is now Finally, but of great importance, is a committed to help at the event. new vision for the Society that 4 the Council felt was needed. In keeping A fine collection of In keeping with the perceived need to with the status of the Society origami at Japan re-launch the society the Council as a registered charity, it was resolved Day 2006, Moray elected to devise a new logo that was to start a scholarship fund House Edinburgh. unveiled at the Anniversary that would help to assist one or two Dinner. Unfortunately the logo had to be students from Scotland each year abandoned when it was decreed to study in Japan, and in particular, by the Lord Lyon that it d efaced the Japanese language. national flag and did not comply with the prescribed rules for the use of With the heraldic symbols. almost irrational preoccupation with China and The the closure penalty of Japanese for such Studies at an Stirling 5 offence University, The Society dinner. is high the need and the was felt for cost of more legalizin encouragem g an ent and approve support to d form be given to was to the study of be Japan and around £1,500. The Council Japanese. abandoned the idea, and a new seal of the Society was created, which A scholarship programme seemed the is what the Chinese characters most obvious and beneficial, and mean, to serve also as a logo. therefore the Society calendar for the year 2007-8 will include two The Council experienced some difficulty major fund-raising events. Armed with 6 in finding a suitable editor the logo and the pamphlet, the for the Newsletter. This has now been Council agreed further that the Children having f un with resolved with Sam Baldwin being Chairman should approach Japanese sumo costumes a t Japan placed in charge, and we hope to see and Scottish companies for their help Day. the Newsletter issued twice a year with the scholarship programme. This as before. In the interim period, we have campaign is scheduled to begin in relied heavily on the website Autumn. 4 for the dissemination of news and information. With the new logo being It has been a Jdaipffaicnu Dlta yy e20a0r 6 oant Msooramy e agreed, and to which no objection was ways, but iHt oushea ins Edinablsuorg h, wbiethe n raised by the Lord Lyon, our new rewarding. We vaarerio uinsd eexbatmedpl etso oCf onsul pamphlet was produced for circulation General Taokraighaamshi. i for his 12 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 5 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected].

Japanese Gardeners and come from, as we collected a good was also well represented at business event to be held in Aberdeen selection almost every day. the lecture given by HE Ambassador in May had to be rescheduled for Other Species Nogami on November 20th and at other September, and it will go ahead once

During my business visits, I had been events hosted by the Edinburgh time and place have been agreed. By Ken Forman University Business School. (Treasurer, Japan Society of Scotland) aware of a distinctly different culture in Japan but it was masked to some extent The Council met on the first or second by a veneer of Western culture. On this The events of 2007 made it very much a Monday of every month from July Last autumn I became a tour guide for a visit, I became aware that the veneer is year of culture. Again by courtesy of to June. After a great deal of difficulty in time. I had already visited Japan many really quite thin and that just below the the Consul General, a pleasant evening arranging a suitable time, the Council times on short business trips and surface traditional Japanese culture is of sake and haiku was enjoyed by made presentations of Honorary tagged on whatever tourist activities I alive and well. almost 30 members. Membership along with a modest could fit in. Last year, I fulfilled a inscribed gift to Ian Harkness for his promise to my wife, Helen, to take her Edinburgh work as on holiday there to show her round There were three features that University was Chairman, some of the places I had visited. It was particularly struck us about Japan – host to a and to Jim also an friendliness, Bunraku event Roy for 20 opportunity for efficiency and that the Society years of me to appreciate trustworthiness. supported both sterling some of the local We rarely had to financially and service as culture in more stand still on the through Treasurer. relaxing pavement for more attendance. circumstances than a few seconds Sadly Ian than I had been before someone The Japanese passed able to in the past. would approach us Residents’ away to ask if we needed Association rather any help. held a Japan suddenly Helen's passion Sometimes, these is gardening so Day on the not long were foreigners like theme of after. His we planned the ourselves – the trip to be able to “Kimono Mackintosh” on March 18th in funeral was well attended by members culture is clearly Glasgow, and the JET of the Council which marked his passing visit as many of infectious! the Japanese Association ceilidh was held also in with a minute of silence at the first gardens open to Glasgow on March 25th. Council Meeting thereafter. the public as we could and to collect I had experienced some seeds which we hope to Japanese efficiency before, so was During the year, various events were The final meeting of the present year, germinate and eventually recreate part taking it more for granted but Helen was held at different locations involving held on June 4 was preoccupied of Japan in our own garden. really overwhelmed. From the moment Period (1868-1912) Scots who in some with future planning, and a draft of the we came into the arrivals hall at Narita way contributed to Japan’s 2007-8 programme was produced. and throughout our holiday she was modernisation process, namely Messrs. It is hoped that other events might be We spent about a week and a half in continually impressed with the way Burton, Brunton and Glover. The held in the Glasgow area also or and about a week touring the everything works so smoothly in Japan. anniversary of Glover’s birth was indeed wherever there is sufficient country using a JR rail pass. Helen Her views in the first fifteen minutes celebrated in the Scottish Parliament, interest. The Council felt that to accuses me of working her too hard were influenced by being able to walk while another major event took place in be the Japan Society of Scotland a during our holiday but we did manage to almost straight on to the limousine bus the City Chambers in Aberdeen. wider view of the country must be see a lot, although by the end we were that took us right to the hotel. I, on the taken and that it should not confine itself both beginning to suffer from over- other hand was panicking as I knew that This was followed on April 12th by the to the Central Belt or the East Coast. exposure to Japanese culture. We were if we missed that one we would have to opening of Thomas Glover House in certainly beginning to find it hard to wait almost three hours for the next Aberdeen. The Society was represented The Consul-General organized a stand remember where all our seeds had one! at all these events by the Chairman or at the Gardening Scotland 2007 by members of the Council. A planned event at the Royal Highland Centre, 6 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 11 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected].

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR held on account of the elections I have always known that crime in best captured by their wake-up calls. In THE YEAR 2006-7 in May. We began in September with Japan is much lower than in our country each, the phone rings at the the sushi-making event by courtesy but we came across examples of predetermined time. In Shibuya, a shrill Rev. Professor Stuart D.B. Picken of Consul General Takahashi and his behaviour that people here would not female voice at the other end intones chef, at the Prestonfield Hotel in even think about. Both were in Nikko, a "Time to get up!" At the other hotel a As I stated in the letter inviting members Edinburgh. major tourist destination about two calming voice, also female, waxes to renew their support of the Society, hours northwest of Tokyo. lyrical: "Good morning! This is your this year has been a year of transition October saw our 20th anniversary wake up call. The staff of the Imperial and rebuilding. dinner at the Dunblane We stopped to look in to an antique Hotel hopes that you had a pleasant Hydro that was a landmark in the shop (although it is fair to say it was rest and we wish you a very good day." After the AGM last year, the Council Society’s history. Several founding more like a bric- a-brac shop). There It's almost worth setting the alarm for had to deal with a number of members were present, including Oliver was no sign of anyone in the shop and several different times! important issues, not least of all Maclauchlan, formerly headmaster the sliding door was closed but replacing those of Balwearie unlocked. The place was full of small We lost count of the number of gardens members who High School, objects most of which could not be seen we visited. Some were attached to old had one of the two from the outside so I opened the door houses where today the garden is the stepped down. schools in and went in for a only attraction but most were included in Fortunately, which the pilot good look round. the grounds of some new programme of a temple or faces were Japanese I must have been in shrine. While forthcoming. language there for at least ten Helen was Charles education was minutes but in that studying the Edmond joined started in time I saw nobody. plants in the and became 1987. Sadly it As it was, I did not various the Honorary was to be his find anything I gardens, I was Secretary and last event. wanted to buy observing the two Japanese anyway but it would gardeners. members, Ms. However, I have been possible And there Emi Sakamoto was to make off with a were plenty to and Ms. Saeko personally load of stuff. In the observe! In Yasaki very happy to evening we walked Japan, they volunteered their services. renew my acquaintance with him after past a vegetable shop we had passed tend to work in so many years. earlier in the day. It was clearly closed groups – several times we came across The JET Association of former teachers but there were still racks of vegetables up to ten gardeners weeding a small in Japanese High Schools became On November 27th, the on display outside (and no, I do not section. As one might expect this is a involved by sending representatives to University of Edinburgh David Hume think they were plastic, or if they were, meticulous process involving crouching each Council meeting to explore Tower was the venue for an illustrated they would have been worth more than down and picking out weeds individually. possible ways of working together as talk on Anime, a distinctive genre of the real thing!). We even saw one gardener perched on latterly did the Japanese Residents’ Japanese visual media. a ladder resting on the bottom of a pond, Association. cutting off individual pine needles from a Of great interest to everyone was some While we were in Tokyo we stayed in tree. Helen was attracted by their hats The Council reciprocated with early black and white footage of two different hotels – one was a modern designed for protection from the sun support for the JETA at their ceilidh in animated film made during World War II hotel in Shibuya, appealing to a and managed to find a shop selling Glasgow with quite a few members depicting Japanese soldiers as relatively young clientele. The other was them so this summer she will be out attending. cute little bears parachuting into a more traditional hotel in Uchisaiwacho there weeding away in Japanese style. Singapore. with a more serene ambience. Staying We also saw one gardener wearing an The year’s programme was fairly full, in each of them was both comfortable incense burner slung over his shoulder although one event planned for All events in 2006 were well and enjoyable but they offered very – I suspect to try to keep biting insects the Scottish Parliament could not be supported. The Council and Society different experiences. For me, this is 10 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 7 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected]. at bay, something we could do with in quickly so I can see why it is used. I had Being Japan, it seemed to work. my friend using it to practice his golf our garden at times! come across bamboo scaffolding before, Certainly there was no reminder later! I shots – also quite common for not just in Japan, but throughout Asia never did discover whether the Japanese businessmen! They have a There are many insects In Japan, but this time we saw it used in outdoor announcement is made at the same very old Japanese pine bonsai and a including some beautifully coloured lighting, various types of fencing, time every day or whether it varies with large tree which they described as a butterflies. One of the benefits of visiting drinking cups, dessert forks and the season. On another day while we 'monkey slipping tree' because of its gardens and taking a close interest in chopstick holders to name but a few. were on walkabout, we saw a small van particularly smooth bark. Although the plants was that we were also able to After a time it became a kind of being driven slowly around the narrow taking a keen interest in gardening and see some of these. One of the most challenge for us to discover what other streets with a loudspeaker attached to particularly proud of the delphiniums unusual for me was a mantis which uses were made of it. Since returning its roof and the driver making which had grown from seed we had looked very like ET, the alien in the film. from Japan, we have bought a couple of announcements to the residents. My given her earlier, my friend's wife bamboo plants but I suspect it will be friend told me that this was the recycling confessed to hiring a gardener twice a few years before we collection. In Japan, people like to year to spend a week on 'tidying it up'. I Insect collecting is a are harvesting. replace their household goods more have visions of this person painstakingly popular hobby often than we do removing weeds amongst Japanese In the course of our and will often have and pruning their schoolboys and we goods to sell. There shrubs etc. saw one group on a holiday we visited quite a few temples and is effectively a school outing with reverse distribution something that looked shrines. Compared Like all good with religious buildings system in which things our holiday like a scorpion. By these goods are contrast, there are in our country, Japan’s drew to a close seem to have much collected by door- and I was able to very few animals to-door buyers and either wild or farmed more vibrancy. People pack away my of all ages visit them brought to a central tour guide in the Japanese facility where they countryside. It took a regularly to seek uniform for favourable outcomes are then another year. On while for us to realise redistributed. it but after several to life's challenges our last evening train journeys, Helen (often quite mundane in Tokyo we were observed that she had ones). Temples are There is an active privileged to be not seen any cows or run on business lines second-hand entertained by sheep. Again it is finding a ready market market in Japan for our sister society, something that I had for spiritual help in the a variety of household goods. A new the Japan Scotland Society and we got used to over the form of tablets invoking law however threatens to destroy it as it enjoyed a wonderful time meeting some years, but I'm still not sure why it is the help in passing a driving test or in will become illegal to sell used electrical of the members interspersed with case. Perhaps it is that the economics securing successful medical treatment. goods without having them certified as musical interludes performed by an of animal farming are against it or the Japanese people seem to be quite satisfying safety standards which is an accomplished clarsach player. Although climate and soil are more suited to superstitious. expensive process. (Late news – we achieved a lot in the time we were in cropping. Certainly the traditional diet in apparently the government, in the face Japan there is much that we were Japan contains less meat than in our We were lucky enough to experience of severe lobbying has agreed to unable to fit in. country. Part of the explanation too is life in a Tokyo suburb when we postpone indefinitely the implementation that we were in the wrong part of Japan descended on a Japanese friend for a of this law). Japan is full of surprises and we would for I have seen cowherds in couple of days. On strolling through the thoroughly recommend anyone who is Hokkaido. area the calm was disturbed by a loud My friend lives in a modern house built interested in the country and its people voice coming from what sounded like a in the garden of his mother's house – to make a visit. Who knows, we may We were both impressed by the number tannoy system. My friend told me that it quite a common arrangement in Japan. even see you there when we return for of different uses that are found for was a neighbourhood system making His mother occupied an old wooden another dip into its culture at some bamboo. There certainly is plenty of it an announcement for all children to house built in the traditional style. They stage. growing in Japan and it grows very return to their homes since it was 5pm. share what remains of the garden, with 8 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 JSS Newsletter Summer 2007 9 www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk [email protected]. [email protected].