| Order of the Scottish Samurai | |
|---|---|
 Coat of Arms of the Order of the Scottish Samurai | |
| Established | 1994 |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Grades |
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The Order of the Scottish Samurai (OSS), is an award "recognising excellence, character and respect in alignment with the ancient spirit of budo." It was founded in 1994 by Ronnie Watt, and based on the Order of the Rising Sun, awarded in 1908 to Thomas Blake Glover, 'The Scottish Samurai'.
Origins
The OSS was established in 1994 by Aberdeen-based martial arts expert Ronnie Watt, as an awarding body which recognises "excellence, character and respect in alignment with the ancient spirit of budo." The order is modelled on the Order of the Rising Sun which in 1908 bestowed an award on merchant Thomas Blake Glover, who was born in Fraserburgh in 1838 and who rose to be one of the founding fathers of industrialisation in Japan.
About the awards
The awards which honour ties between Scotland and Japan, recognise individuals who excel in their chosen field or who demonstrate particular character and distinction. There are two levels of award: Samurai and Shogun. The latter award denotes a higher level of achievement or recognition. Recipients are nomited each year by current award-holders.
"The OSS became an awarding body and friendship society in 2016, with letters patent from the Lord Lyon" according to an article on Aberdeen University's website.
Awards are normally conferred at Broomhall House, home of Lord Charles Edward Bruce, 12th Earl of Elgin or at The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen.
Recipient, Charlie Abel, a noted composer and performer of Scottish Music, created a new tune "The March O' The Scottish Samurai" to commemorate the award.
Notable award holders
Notable OSS award holders include
- Billy Connolly
- Alex Salmond
- Joanna Lumley
- Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms
- Lord Charles Edward Bruce
- Sir Ian Wood
- Shinzo Abe
- Natsu Yamaguchi
- Lord Elgin
- Chay Blyth
- Paul Mealor
- Tomihisa Taue
- Sean Michael Wilson
- Professor George Boyne
- Martin Gilbert
- George Kerr
- Margaret Smith, former Lord Provost of Aberdeen
- Dr Margaret Farquhar CBE, former Lord Provost of Aberdeen
- Barney Crockett, former Lord Provost of Aberdeen
- The University of Aberdeen
References
- ^ "About". Samurai.scot. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ Begbie, Scott (18 November 2020). "Aberdeen karate legend's plan to make Sir Sean Connery a Scottish Samurai". Press and Journal. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- "Award from the Land of the Rising Sun Heralds New Dawn for Lockerbie Arrival". Dumfries and Galloway What;'s Going On. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- Carruthers, Clan (9 February 2019). "Clan Carruthers: Order of the Scottish Samurai". CLAN CARRUTHERS SOCIETY (INTERNATIONAL) Founded on a Royal Charter to Holmains, 1755. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- "Samurai.scot". Samurai.scot. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "University to be honoured by local cultural society | News | The University of Aberdeen". www.abdn.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- "Order of Scottish Samurai Awards – Sunday 3rd March | Aberdeen Burgesses". Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- "Lord Charles Bruce". Samurai.scot. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- "March o' the Scottish Samurai - Charlie Abel". charlieabel.com. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Harley, Duncan (19 September 2018). "The Scottish Samurai Awards". Aberdeen Voice. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- "Alex Salmond". Samurai.scot. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- "Joanna Lumley". Samurai.scot. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- "Dr. Joseph Morrow". Samurai.scot. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- Freeman, John (25 June 2022). "Creating Comics: Sean Michael Wilson on adapting the world's oldest known novel, The Tale of Genji, into manga". downthetubes.net. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- Jaffray, Chris (4 July 2016). "'Make historic Aberdeen home fit for Scottish Samurai'". Press and Journal. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- Wood, Rosanna (22 June 2022). "Dr George Kerr 10th Dan and Gordon McCathie Honoured at the Scottish Samurai Awards". Judo Scotland. Retrieved 4 November 2024.