Links between Scotland and Japan have been strengthed with the opening of a new exhibition space at Broughton House in Kirkcudbright.
Nozomu Takaoka, Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, declared the venue open to applause from invited guests and staff last Wednesday.
Broughton, once home of leading “Glasgow Boys” artist EA Hornel, boasts a beautiful display of Japanese works of art collected by Hornel.
The National Trust for Scotland-owned property also features a Japanese-themed garden created by Hornel and his sister.
Mr Takaoka, who was accompanied by his wife Yumi, declared the exhibition open with a toast and Japanese sake.
He said: “This is a thought-provoking moment for us to appreciate what inspired Edward Atkinson Hornel more than 100 years ago on this day, the anniversary of his birth in 1864, eventually leading to his great works deeply influenced by Japanese art.
“I hope he is now looking down upon us with great pride possibly with his fellow Glasgow Boys.
“I would like to take this opportunity to stress that the relations between Japan and the south of Scotland are wide and strong.
“Maybe this co-operative spirit between us was already dictated by Burns when he said ‘nae man can tether time nor tide, the hour approaches Tam maun ride’.”
Dee and Glenkens Councillor Pauline Drysdale was among the guests at the opening. She said: “The connections between Japan and Hornel are visible in his later works of art completed after visits there in 1893 and 1920.
“Hornel also collected one of the worlds largest collections of works by Robert Burns, as well as rare documents on Galloway’s rich history.
