Durham & Japanese Museum Present 'Memories of the Squire Family'
Durham University and the National Museum of Japanese History have joined forces to present an intriguing exhibition, 'Memories of the Squire Family - Mementoes of a British Engineer'. This collaboration is a testament to their long-standing research cooperation and friendship with Japan. The exhibition offers a unique insight into the life of a British engineering family who resided in Japan in the early 20th century.
The Squire family, comprising British engineer George Squire, his wife Lydia, and their two young daughters Marjorie and Dorothy, spent three years in Kokura, Kyushu, between 1908 and 1911. George managed the Senju Paper Mill, paying meticulous attention to every aspect, from worker training to salaries. Meanwhile, Lydia educated their daughters and taught English to their neighbours.
The family maintained a close relationship with the Moriyama family, regularly photographing their daughters at the Kunizo Moriyama Photo Studio in Kokura. This exhibition, featuring a collection of 50 items donated to the Oriental Museum in 1980, is a result of over 500 co-publications between Durham University academics and counterparts across 180 Japanese institutions between 2019 and 2023.
The exhibition, co-hosted by Durham University and the National Museum of Japanese History, is a symbol of their commitment to research cooperation and a celebration of the historic friendship between the UK and Japan. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a British family in early 20th century Japan and the cultural exchange that took place.
