Human Bridge of Friendship Japan and Glasgow University

By lesleyrichmond on June 3, 2009 • ( 1 )

Scotland and the University of Glasgow have had long and fruitful links with Japan and, as the University’s contribution to Japan UK 150 – a UK-wide celebration of 150 years of Anglo-Japanese diplomatic relations, a series of events have been arranged.

The photographic exhibition, ‘Human bridge: 150 Years of Anglo-Japanese friendship and commerce’ – (1 June-31 August, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, University Chapel, University of Glasgow. Admission free and open to the public) reviews the rich, but often overlooked, involvement between Japan and Britain since 1858. Consisting of roughly 50 photographs, many from the 19th century, the exhibition depicts Britain’s early contribution to Japan’s modernisation, and shows how the two countries developed a mutually enriching relationship through commerce and human ties. The exhibition has been organised by the Japanese Residents Association UK .

A human bridge model was used in 1887 to demonstrate the principle behind the Forth Rail Bridge with three men closely connected with the designing and building of the bridge. The one in the middle ,Kaichi Watanabe, graduated from the Imperial College of Engineering, which later became Faculty of Engineering, Kaichi Watanabe, and from the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Glasgow. The model has been recreated by the Department of Civil Engineering and will be used at the opening ceremony. The bridge will remain on show for the rest of the exhibition.

Watanabe