Address from Consul General Takaoka: Anniversary dinner to celebrate the first meeting between Mr.Taketsuru and Miss Rita Cowan
2019/9/11
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentleman, my name is Nozomu Takaoka, the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh.
First of all, I would like to say that I am so privileged to be here in this great Town Hall of Kirkintilloch to address this occasion, celebrating 100 years since Ms. Rita Cowan first met her future husband, Mr. Masataka Taketsuru.
Why do I feel so honored? Maybe not to the same extent here in Scotland, but in Japan, Rita’s story is hugely popular, featured in the household name TV series of NHK, Japanese equivalent of BBC, viewed by tens of millions of Japanese for six months in 2014 and 2015.
And I should inform you as well, that Rita is the only one non-Japanese person, featured as the main character of this famous TV series of NHK aired every day from 8 am Monday to Friday for the past 59 years.
Therefore, forgive me because it’s rather unconventional, but I would like to thank Rita first at the beginning of my speech, in front of Mr. Harry Hogan for her bravery, determination and her love for her husband, Masataka, known as Massan.
As we have just learnt from that beautiful play, if it was not for Rita’s bold decision 97 years ago, who was only 23 at the time, to accompany her Japanese husband to go to his country without her parents’ approval as I understand then, there would never had been high quality Japanese whiskey perhaps to this date.
Because Rita's husband was the only Japanese who understood the art and spirit of distillery at the beginning of the last century, having studied Brewing at the Glasgow University and went through the intensive on the job training at the Longmorn Distillery near Elgin and the Hazelburn Distillery in Cambeltown,
Without Rita's decision, Suntory’s Hibiki, wouldn’t have been awarded World's Best Blended Whisky prize at the World Whiskies Awards.
And it would be inconceivable that, Massan’s namesake, the Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 years old from Nikka, which is in my glass now, would be awarded the 2019 World’s Best Blended Malt.
Therefore, somewhat belatedly, I would like to thank today’s host, Mr. Jim Hopkins from the Spirit of Alba who should be taking the initiative to reinvigorate this town's truly authentic distilling heritage.
I would also like to thank the Provost Alan Brown, who kindly informed me of tonight's celebration 8 months ago when we first met in Edinburgh shortly after my arrival to that city.
I must also thank Minister Fiona Hyslop, who continues to value and nurture Scotland - Japan links and who I believe will be jetting over to show her support to the national team ahead of their match against Japan in Rugby World Cup in Yokohama on the 13th of October. With her cheering up and ours, my prediction is that both Japan and Scotland will emerge victoriously from Pool A as the two winners to go on to the final stage by beating Russia, Samoa and Ireland, sorry to say that, in the same pool.
I also sincerely wish that these historical ties and the friendship between Scotland and Japan, and of course our mutual love of whiskey continue, regardless of any outcome of Brexit.
On that note, please raise a glass! Kanpai!
First of all, I would like to say that I am so privileged to be here in this great Town Hall of Kirkintilloch to address this occasion, celebrating 100 years since Ms. Rita Cowan first met her future husband, Mr. Masataka Taketsuru.
Why do I feel so honored? Maybe not to the same extent here in Scotland, but in Japan, Rita’s story is hugely popular, featured in the household name TV series of NHK, Japanese equivalent of BBC, viewed by tens of millions of Japanese for six months in 2014 and 2015.
And I should inform you as well, that Rita is the only one non-Japanese person, featured as the main character of this famous TV series of NHK aired every day from 8 am Monday to Friday for the past 59 years.
Therefore, forgive me because it’s rather unconventional, but I would like to thank Rita first at the beginning of my speech, in front of Mr. Harry Hogan for her bravery, determination and her love for her husband, Masataka, known as Massan.
As we have just learnt from that beautiful play, if it was not for Rita’s bold decision 97 years ago, who was only 23 at the time, to accompany her Japanese husband to go to his country without her parents’ approval as I understand then, there would never had been high quality Japanese whiskey perhaps to this date.
Because Rita's husband was the only Japanese who understood the art and spirit of distillery at the beginning of the last century, having studied Brewing at the Glasgow University and went through the intensive on the job training at the Longmorn Distillery near Elgin and the Hazelburn Distillery in Cambeltown,
Without Rita's decision, Suntory’s Hibiki, wouldn’t have been awarded World's Best Blended Whisky prize at the World Whiskies Awards.
And it would be inconceivable that, Massan’s namesake, the Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 years old from Nikka, which is in my glass now, would be awarded the 2019 World’s Best Blended Malt.
Therefore, somewhat belatedly, I would like to thank today’s host, Mr. Jim Hopkins from the Spirit of Alba who should be taking the initiative to reinvigorate this town's truly authentic distilling heritage.
I would also like to thank the Provost Alan Brown, who kindly informed me of tonight's celebration 8 months ago when we first met in Edinburgh shortly after my arrival to that city.
I must also thank Minister Fiona Hyslop, who continues to value and nurture Scotland - Japan links and who I believe will be jetting over to show her support to the national team ahead of their match against Japan in Rugby World Cup in Yokohama on the 13th of October. With her cheering up and ours, my prediction is that both Japan and Scotland will emerge victoriously from Pool A as the two winners to go on to the final stage by beating Russia, Samoa and Ireland, sorry to say that, in the same pool.
I also sincerely wish that these historical ties and the friendship between Scotland and Japan, and of course our mutual love of whiskey continue, regardless of any outcome of Brexit.
On that note, please raise a glass! Kanpai!