iCLA’s Dr. Darren Ashmore and Professor William Reed have been awarded medals by the Order of the Scottish Samurai, which recognizes excellence, tradition, and cultural exchange.
The Order of the Scottish Samurai acknowledges outstanding achievement and service within the recipient’s field of expertise. Established in 1994 by Ronnie Watt, OBE, ORS, the Scottish Samurai Award draws its inspiration from the legacy of 19th-century Scottish businessman Thomas Blake Glover. Glover was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun (ORS) by the Emperor of Japan in 1908, thus becoming known as the Scottish Samurai. Watt was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun (ORS) in 2010 and the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the Queen of England in 2011. Notable past recipients of the Scottish Samurai Award are Consuls General of Japan, Consuls General of Japan in Edinburgh, and former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.
The Order of the Scottish Samurai Wall of Fame
Dr. Darren Ashmore, a specialist in Japan Studies with expertise in anthropology and the performing arts, holds the title of Taisho OSS since 2022 in recognition of his “services to art and culture, the United Kingdom and Japan”. In acknowledgement of his continuing contributions, he was presented with the Order of the Scottish Samurai 30th Anniversary Medal.
In appreciation of his decades-long practice and mastery, holding 8th-dan in Aikido and 10th-dan in Japanese Calligraphy, Professor William Reed was awarded the OSS Order of Merit Medal and conferred the title of Ambassador of Japanese Culture. He has been recognized by the organization for his “services to Japanese culture & martial arts” since 2017, which reflect his dedication to the promotion of Japanese culture.
The medals were presented to the professors by iCLA alumnus and graduate of University of Aberdeen, Yusei Yamagishi. In 2022, Yamagishi received the distinguished Order of the Scottish Samurai rank of Legendary Samurai, OSS for his “services to Japan and Scotland relations”.