A unique collection of family memorabilia from Durham University’s Oriental Museum is being exhibited at the National Museum of Japanese History in Sakura, Chiba.
This special exhibition ‘Memories of the Squire Family – Mementoes of a British Engineer’, offers a glimpse into the life of a British engineering family who lived in Japan in the early 20th century.
The collection of 50 items includes photographs, books, artwork and clothes, and was donated to the University’s Oriental Museum by the family in 1980.
Now, after more than a decade of planning, Rachel Barclay, Senior Curator at the Oriental Museum, has taken the collection back to be exhibited in Japan.
In 1898, British engineer George Squire (1868 - 1930) went to work in Japan at the request of a Japanese paper mill.
At a time when Japan's modern paper industry was rapidly developing and factories were opening up in various locations, George was given full control of factory management at the Senju Paper Mill in Kokura, Kyushu.
While commuting between Kokura and the head office in Tokyo by boat, he managed the factory by paying close attention to everything from training workers to paying salaries.
Rachel Barclay said: “What makes this collection so special is how personal so many of the objects are to members of the family.
“One of the fans still has the children’s fingerprints on it.
“Visitors can really connect with this family and their friends living in Japan more than 120-years-ago through the objects in the exhibition.”
The exhibition is being co-hosted by Durham University, at the National Museum of Japanese History as part of their commitment to research cooperation.
The two institutions renewed and re-signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or Rekinaku partnership, when Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, visited in 2022.
It was through the MoU, that the Oriental Museum was chosen to host last year’s major exhibition “Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki” in partnership with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
The exhibition was opened by the Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr Hajime Hayashi.
Durham University and the North East region are proud to have a long history of friendship and cooperation with the people of Japan, with Japanese students studying here since the 19th century.
This history of collaboration has been developed since then through many decades of teaching Japanese Studies at Durham.
This popular programme, which now has almost 100 students, is underpinned by an exchange programme with 11 leading Japanese universities, including in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kyushu.
Japan is a highly-valued partner in terms of scientific research collaborations with Durham University.
Between 2019 and 2023, Durham academics collaborated on over 500 co-publications with counterparts across 180 Japanese institutions.
Professor Claire O’Malley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global) at Durham University, explains the importance of the University’s links with Japan.
Professor O’Malley said: “Museums and Collections are one of Durham’s unique strengths and our partnership with the National Museum of Japanese History, which was renewed in 2022, is a great example of how we can collaborate to internationalise the research, education and profiles of both our institutions.
“British and Japanese academic institutions share the same values – a commitment to academic freedom, civic engagement and to play a leading role in addressing global challenges.
“We have common research strengths.
“By working together, we can bring benefit not only to our two countries but globally.“
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