On Monday 24 November we welcomed The Deputy Director of the National Museum of Japanese History and the Minister for Public Diplomacy and Media from the Japanese Embassy in London, to Durham.
The delegation visited to renew a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) originally signed in 2017, between the two museums and renewed in 2022 for a further three years. The MOU continues the relationship between two world-renowned centres of research and cultural excellence.
The renewal of this agreement coincided with the launch of the latest exhibition at the Oriental Museum, Echoes of Friendship: the Squire Family in Meiji Era Japan.
The guests attended a preview of the exhibition at the Museum, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien and our Vice-Chancellor (Global) Professor Claire O’Malley, along with senior colleagues from faculties and departments at the Oriental Museum.
Echoes of Friendship exhibition
The exhibition tells the story of the Squire family through photographs and objects which they donated to the Oriental Museum more than 70 years after they left Japan and settled in Sunderland. It also tells the story of the Moriyama family, pioneering Japanese photographers. Photographs taken at the Moriyama Studio offer glimpses into the lives of both families and friendships that endured across continents.
Created in partnership with the National Museum of Japanese History and first shown at in Japan in summer 2024, the exhibition has been seen by more than 30,000 people in Japan before arriving here in Durham.
Our partnership
This partnership with the Museum of Japanese History has brought exciting exhibitions to the Oriental Museum including ‘Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki’ which was created by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, together with officials in Nagasaki.
It signifies both partners’ continuing commitment to promoting joint research, conservation, exhibitions, cultural heritage protection; and advancing studies of archaeology and culture.
A globally connected University
Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We work in partnership with research institutions around the world, to share and grow global knowledge. Visit our Study With Us and our World-wide Research and Partnerships pages to find out more about life at Durham.
AloJapan.com