The Japanese Summer Festival weekend in Scotland is over … and what a great time we all had. Congratulations to Zeljka Letica, Chair of JET AA Scotland and her team for organising and pulling it all together, and to Shambellie House Trustees and staff for being wonderful hosts … a marvellous venue. Thanks also to all the various performers, presenters, participants and volunteers, but most of all, the visitors who came to take part and sample some of the beauty of Japan and its traditions, culture and friendship. Special thanks too, to the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh for their support and a particular mention to Colin Smyth MSP for South Scotland and Convenor of the Scottish Cross-Party Group on Japan, who visited with his family.
We were especially delighted to those young people who submitted entries for the Manga Drawing competition and took part in the Cosplay competition, for which JSoS sponsored the prizes. Old friendships were renewed, and new friendships forged, it was a special weekend indeed. We couldn’t have wished for better weather on the Saturday … glorious sunshine. Sunday weather had other ideas, but the rain didn’t dampen our spirits and made for a great indoor gathering and a slight break in the clouds offered an opportunity for some outside demonstrations.
JSoS Council members Ian, Helen (also a JET) and Callum were on hand to offer brief talks and show a variety of Japanese kimonos, yukatas, fans, geta and toys which the children tried. There were great Tombola prizes too, donated by many individuals, resulting in over £450 being raised for Japan Red Cross Earthquake Victim Appeal. Shambellie House Trustees organised a Raffle with more super prizes and proceeds going to Shambellie House.
We all thoroughly enjoyed meeting many of the participants taking part in the various events and learning more about Japan. Scotland really does have a rich and wide connection with Japan, and we hope to help to broaden this further. Enjoy the selection of photos, giving a flavour of the weekend. Katy
The competition winners were..
Cosplay: Ella Drysdale & Millie McQueen
Manga Drawing: Secondary School Winner: Erin Caldwell
Primary School Winner: Millie McQueen
Primary School Runner Up: Temperance Hughes
Consolation prize: Jack True
Activities included: Japanese Tea Tasting, Sake Tasting, Calligraphy, Bon Odori Dance, Shamisen and Song performance, Koto and Song performance, Folk Song and Dance performance, Sashiko and Boro Stitching, Kimono and Yukata dressing, Japanese Toys, Children’s Games, Kamishibai storytelling, Haiku poetry, Kurinuki Pottery demonstration, Origami, John McKenna Photography exhibition, Painting and Kimono exhibition and talk, Puppet exhibition, Kyudo Archery demonstration, Clan Sumo Scotland Sumo Wrestling demonstration, Aikido, Karate, Bonsai exhibition, Love and Whisky exhibition. JSoS Talks: The First Scots in Japan, Japanese Soccer and the Scottish Connection, Bunraku & Kabuki, Noh & Kyogen.
