Courtesy of Mr Colin Houston, In collaboration with the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre
Event by JSOS.
Date – Tuesday 10th of March 2026
PRIORITY BOOKING FOR JSOSmembers and invited guests Limited places available! REGISTRATION COMING SOON
Colin Houston, great grandson of Colin Alexander McVean will introduce the McVean collection housed in the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.
In 1876 Colin McVean returned to Scotland bringing back several antiques and curios. In 1877 as part of the Glasgow City Industrial Museum exhibition McVean lent 1000 items he had brought back with him from Japan. In 1878 for the Glasgow Museums, Art for Industry, Glasgow Japan Exchange Exhibition McVean loaned 300 items which remained in the possession of Glasgow Museums until 1902 when McVean decided to sell many items. At this point Glasgow Museums purchased around 50 items which now form the McVean Collection. Colin will bring with him a few items from his personal collection which were first exhibited in 1877.
Bashō the 17th century haiku poet and travel writer undertook a major journey to Northern Honshu in 1689. Kathleen and Fraser followed Basho’s route through varied landscapes, historical and cultural sites which brought to life the beauty and simplicity of Basho’s writing. The highlights included exploring the sacred Dewa mountains, sailing down the Mogami River, and crossing the Bay of Matsushima.
Details to follow IN-PERSON and ZOOM REGISTRATION COMING SOON
Date – Saturday 31st of January 2026 at 1pm (doors open 12.30pm)
Venue – University of Edinburgh, 40 George Square, Room LG.11*
(*Please note that the location is different from previous years)
Join us at our AGM to hear what we have been up to for the last year, vote on the election of council members, and network with like-minded individuals interested in Japan-Scotland cultural connections. Formal business includes a summary of our accomplishments in 2025, approval of our minutes from the previous AGM, approval of the annual report, an update on our online presense, and more.
After the close of formal business, this year our guest speakers will be Bruach, a Scottish folk-rock band that were recently invited to perform at the Osaka Expo 2025.
They will talk about their experience of being at the Expo and their introduction to traditional Gagaku music. So a lovely cultural exchange to kick off our 40th Anniversary year.
Sushi and refreshments will be served at the end. We expect this event to finish about 3-3:30pm.
There is no formal requirement to be a member of the society to join us, only an interest in Japan or the connections between Japan and Scotland. We would appreciate it greatly if you could sign-up through one of the eventbrite links below or by informing us via email of your attendance if possible, as this will give us an indication of numbers to expect.
Alternatively, you can let us know of your attendance by contacting us…
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is an AGM?
An AGM, or Annual General Meeting, is a yearly event where members of the society meet with the trustees and other council members. It is a chance for the membership to review society finances, society activities, vote on matters relating to the society, and more.
Do I need to be a member to attend the AGM?
No, membership is not required to attend the JSOS AGM. We welcome anyone with an interest in Japan or the connections between Japan and Scotland. However, if you are not a member you will not be able to participate in votes.
Do I need a ticket to attend?
No, you do not need a ticket to attend. However, it is very helpful for us to have an idea of the number of people who will join us. So please do get a ticket if you can. There is no need to bring along the ticket, as we welcome anyone with an interest in the society.
Do I need to attend in-person?
No, you can also attend online via Zoom. If you wish to attend online, please sign up through the online version of the event on Eventbrite or contact us directly.
How long will the AGM last?
The length of the AGM has been omitted from publications as it varies from year to year. However, we aim to finish formal business well before the start of the talk.
Yesterday (31st July) was a very special occasion for Japan/Scotland Relations. In recognition of his thirty plus years visiting Japan with the Scottish Scout Association, our good friend and JSoS Treasurer, Callum Farquhar, was recognized by the conferral of The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays. The award was presented by the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Mr Katsutoshi Takeda, and in his conferment speech, he outlined Callum’s work in leading several groups of Scouts to World and National Jamborees in Japan and beyond.
Many friendships have been forged over the years and remain strong to this day. With homestays organised in both countries, children and young adults have had the opportunity of experiencing home hospitality and all that it entails in learning about another culture and language.
We at JSoS are also very grateful for all the work that Callum does for our Society, including his visits to schools to promote and share aspects of Japanese culture and traditions. We (Ian, Helen and Katy) were honoured to join Callum and his Scouting friends at this lovely ceremony and thank the Consul General and Consulate staff for their kind hospitality, including the chef … as we enjoyed a truly wonderful feast of Japanese cuisine accompanied by several toasts of course.
We know that you will all want to join us in congratulating Callum on this wonderful achievement, and to thank him for his significant contribution to our Society.
Dr Geoff Goolnik gave an excellent talk on Richard Henry Brunton, known throughout Japan as the father of Japanese lighthouses. Like Glover, he was the son of a serving officer in the coastguard service in the north of Scotland. He was also one of a large group of Scottish engineers who made a major contribution to the modernisation of Japan, although many of these were almost forgotten in Scotland but remembered fondly in Japan. When the British government asked the shogunate for someone to help with making their coastal waters safe for shipping, he set off for Japan, but enroute, the shogunate fell from power, however, Brunton felt the new government would honour the previous government’s promise and they did. He then proceeded to supervise the building of lighthouses and light vessels and many other lighthouses, train lighthouse keepers and he also developed training programmes for engineers as well as masons, bricklayers, etc. He also played a major role in public works in Yokohama and Osaka. Geoff took us through the story of Brunton with a fascinating presentation which did full justice to yet another superbly talented Scotsman who was more famous abroad than at home. Geoff also explained his later career and role in construction of theatres in Ireland, where he showed a real talent for architecture through his significant role in the construction of theatres.
Geoff’s presentation was excellent and especially his innovative use of AI. Geoff was having a problem with his voice and worried that he would not be able to continue talking for such a long time. He decided to add an AI voice to read the script aloud. It was a very fine script and a clear indication that his new book on Brunton will not only be evidence of excellent research, but told in a way that will provide great enjoyment to readers and is a great tribute to a great Scot who made a major contribution not only to modern Japan but also Ireland.
FROM GEOFF GOOLNIK: his book “A Man of Resolve: Richard Henry Brunton. Civil Engineer at work in 19th century Great Britain, Japan and Ireland”.
The cheapest option would be to buy through Amazon which, at £15.63, is a 37% discount on the cover price and which may also include free postage. If anyone would like a signed copy of the volume I can offer this directly myself but would need to charge an additional amount for second class postage. Please get in touch through geoff.goolnik@googlemail.com
An Introduction to Japanese Decorative Metalwork – held 9th June 2025
In-person and Zoom audience.
Professor Sandra Wilson gave a most interesting talk on Japanese metalwork, which focussed on design and special precious metals, and some of the great families who have carried on these skills for many generations. Sandra is an Emerita in recognition of her career in teaching and research but has worked hands-on with some of the finest artists and experts in this field, some of whom have been awarded supreme awards recognised by the profession and the Japanese government, namely being appointed as National Treasures.
She brings to the subject something beyond merely telling the story of the historical development of design in Japan and with metal, especially valuable metals. Sandra is an international authority on the subject but is herself an internationally recognised practising artist in the field and has produced many wonderful pieces which show her blending her own skills and designs with a Japanese influence. Her presentation showed clearly, that to understand this art form, it is not enough to have read and written about it, but to do this from the use of tacit knowledge which can only be acquired through working in and with the metals and the practitioners who guard the knowledge for future generations.
Her presentation was fascinating, and her visuals were superb, especially the explanations of how colouring was achieved and how recycling metals from mobile phones is being urged. In a real bonus, she encouraged members to actually use some of her specialist tools with some metal. It was a treat to see our new Consul, Masataka Abe, himself an engineer, enthusiastically picking up the tools and applying them to the metal provided.
13th May 2025. The Japan Society of Scotland working with the Asia Scotland Institute.
We recently collaborated with the Asia Scotland Institute (ASI), who organized a superb lecture by Haruko Fukuda OBE. She is a former Chair of the Japan Society and a major figure on finance in London and internationally, who has made a major contribution to UK-Japan relations through decades based in London.
JSoS members were delighted to attend this book talk at The New Club, which was about her fascinating memoir My Families and ther Samurai. This was not a lecture on high level financial matters, nor a direct telling of her own story and her own achievements, Roddy Gow founder of ASI paid tribute to her own achievements in his excellent introduction. It was instead a warm, fascinating story of an incredible family over generations set against a background of the story of modern Japan.
It was a story with elegance and candour of the achievements of her family shaped by samurai heritage, diplomatic duty and international ambition. Whilst her book is aimed at a popular audience it should also be recommend to all serious students of modern Japan. Fukuda Sama presented her talk in excellent fashion and took a considerable number of questions, which if anything, whetted our appetite for the book, now on sale and sure to be a best seller.
