Tag Archive for: Yoshiko Ushioda

In Memoriam | Remembering and Honouring Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda

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The Ireland Japan Association is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, a remarkable individual whose impact on our community and the Ireland Japan Association will forever be remembered.

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Mrs. Ushioda was not only a generous supporter of education and fostering understanding and collaboration between Ireland and Japan, but also a beacon of inspiration for all those who were fortunate enough to know her. Her dedication to the cause of education, particularly through the Ushioda Scholarship she so generously sponsored, has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals and students who pursue Japan studies in Ireland and Irish Universities. Her passion for making a positive difference in the world was evident in every action she took.
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It is undeniable that Mrs. Ushioda played a pivotal role in shaping the future of aspiring students through her commitment to fostering education. The scholarship program named after her and her beloved husband served as a source of hope and encouragement for many, opening doors to opportunities that otherwise might have been out of reach.
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During this time of mourning, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those who were close to her. While words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel, may we all find solace in the memories of her kindness, generosity, and the lasting impact she had on so many lives.
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Mrs. Ushioda will be deeply missed, and her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those she touched.
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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson
IJA Council
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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship 2023 award ceremony | PHOTO GALLERY

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.

In 2023, the scholarship was awarded to Ben Murphy, studying Japanese Language at University of Limerick. Ben will be travelling to Japan for an exchange year at Waseda University, Tokyo.

From left: Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, IJA founder member and Scholarship Patron, H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and Ben Murphy, Univeristy of Limerick & Ushioda Scholarship winner in 2023.

 

The small but heartwarming award ceremony of the scholarship took place on 30th August 2023 at the beautiful offices of the IJA Patron Member – ElectroRoute. Ben was greeted and congratulated by Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, IJA founder member and Scholarship Patron, Ms. Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice-Chaiperson, Ms. Paula Kelly, IJA Council and Scholarship coordinator, and Mr. Donal Flyn, CFO, Managing Director of Finance & Operation at ElectroRoute.

H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Ms. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland, were the special invited guests at this event. Ambassador dedicated well wishes and words of encouragement to Ben as he is preparing to travel to Japan for his year abroad.

 

 

I have always wanted to explore and discover another culture and language. Studying Japanese in UL has granted me the opportunity to do so. Since my first class in Japanese, I have been captivated by Japan and its history and culture. I have met some of my closest friends, both Japanese and non-Japanese through my studies, and I hope to see them all in Japan when I complete my study abroad in Japanese at Waseda University in Tokyo!’ – Ben Murphy

 

We would like to thank Ms. Paula Kelly, IJA Council, and Barbara Geraghty, University of Limerick, for their support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

Many thanks to Azumi Uchitani and her team at ElectroRoute for a very warm welcome, reception set up and looking after all the guests during this event.

 

 

Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2023 is awarded to Ben Murphy (UL)

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The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to announce that in 2023 the Ushioda Scholarship is awarded to Ben Murphy, studying Japanese at University of Limerick. Ben will be travelling to Japan for an exchange year at Waseda University, Tokyo.

 

 

‘My name is Ben, and I have always wanted to explore and discover another culture and language. Studying Japanese in UL has granted me the opportunity to do so. Since my first class in Japanese, I have been captivated by Japan and its history and culture. I have met some of my closest friends, both Japanese and non-Japanese through my studies, and I hope to see them all in Japan when I complete my study abroad in Japanese at Waseda University in Tokyo!’ – Ben Murphy

 

We would like to thank Ms Paula Kelly, IJA Council, for her support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.

Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2022 is awarded to Joseph Peter Talento

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The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to announce that in 2022 the Ushioda Scholarship is awarded to Joseph Peter Talento, studying Business Studies International at DCU. Joseph will be travelling to Japan for an exchange year at Toyo University.

‘My name is Joseph, a Filipino who is in love with Japanese culture. Growing up I was surrounded and influenced in many ways by Japanese culture, including the language and media. I often found myself staring at videos, watching people visiting Japan and vlogging their experiences studying in the country. When I saw the option to complete an exchange year abroad in Japan with DCU, I thought – why don’t I try that myself? Along the way, I was able to learn more and more about Japanese society. Today, I am months away from beginning my exchange year abroad at Toyo University, under the Faculty of Economics. During these coming 11 months, I plan to really develop my strength in the language, travel as much as I can and overall, see what the realities of life in Japan is truly like!’ – Joseph Peter Talento

We would like to thank Ms Paula Kelly, IJA Council, for her support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.

Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2021 is awarded to Francis Donnelly

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The Ireland Japan Association is honoured to announce that in 2021 the Ushioda Scholarship is awarded to Francis Donnelly, studying for BA in Applied Languages, University of Limerick. Francis is planning to go to Nagoya University of Foreign Studies to continue Japanese studies during autumn semester next year.

‘I’m studying Japanese because I find both the country and the language fascinating. Japanese is a language that is enjoyable to learn and very rewarding when put into practice, and learning it is a nice change of pace from the European languages we typically focus on in Ireland. I’m hoping to study in Nagoya, where I aim to increase my proficiency in the language while also experiencing and learning about Japanese culture and history.’ – Francis Donnelly
We would like to thank Ms Paula Kelly, IJA Council, and Ms Barbara Geraghty, UL, for their support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.
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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.

Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship | Post-scholarship report by Sophia Herar

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We are delighted to let you know that Sophia Herar, Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship recipient in 2019, has returned from Japan where she studied at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.
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Studying abroad is a unique, unforgettable experience and we are happy that Sophia had this wonderful opportunity not only to study in Japan but also to explore the country, experience Japan’s authentic culture and make new friendships. Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Sophia’s stay in Japan was cut short but she would like to express her gratitude for the support and wonderful year abroad to Mrs. Ushioda and the IJA.
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‘I prepared for so many eventualities, and yet the most memorable moments were the ones I could have never anticipated. Traveling abroad for a year undoubtedly poses more challenges than anyone can prepare for, but they make the joyous moments all the more worth living.’ – Sophia Herar 

Sophia Herar and Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, IJA founder member and Scholarship Patron at the official presentation of the scholarship (August 2019).

If you would like to read about Sophia’s experience in Japan, her full post-scholarship essay is available on the IJA website here!
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Sophia and her friends on a hiking trip from Kibuneguchi to Kurama

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First time wearing a traditional Kimono

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.
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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2019 is awarded to Sophia Herar

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.

In 2019, the scholarship was awarded to Ms. Sophia Herar, studying for BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies, DCU. Sophia is going to study in Japan for a year at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.

Sophia Herar – the first recipient of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2019

The official presentation of the scholarship took place in August 2019 at DCU with Ms. Sophia Herar, Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, IJA founder member and Scholarship Patron, Mr. Yasuyuki Ozeki, IJA Vice-Chaiperson, Mr. Donagh Morris, IJA Council, Mr. Kenichiro Sasame, Counsellor and DHM of the Embassy of Japan in Ireland and representatives from DCU in attendance.

I feel honored to have received the scholarship and I am happy that all my hard work these last few years has paid off. I believe that everyone who manages to turn their passion for Japanese into motivation and action, is going to be rewarded for it – be that through a scholarship or the experience of living in Japan itself. I feel incredibly lucky that I get a chance to experience all this and that the IJA and Mrs. Ushioda decided to support me with the scholarship. – Sophia Herar

We would like to thank Mr. Donagh Morris, IJA Council, and everybody at DCU for their support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

The IJA celebrated our ‘National Treasure’, Mrs. Ushioda, at a Book Launch

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The Ireland Japan Association (IJA) celebrated our ‘National Treasure’, Mrs. Ushioda, at a Book Launch on Tuesday, April 17th 2018.

The IJA hosted a very special event to celebrate the launch of memoirs by our founding member, Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda – ‘Caring for Japanese Art at the Chester Beatty Library. My Half-Century in Dublin.‘

The story begins in 1960, when she traveled from Tokyo with her young son to join her husband, a research-fellow at University College Dublin. Beginning as a volunteer at the Chester Beatty Library in 1970, she would go on to become curator and accompany masterpieces loaned by The Chester Beatty Library to special exhibitions all around the world. Both inspiring and heartfelt, Mrs. Ushioda’s memoir will be of interest to both lovers of Japanese Art and those interested in Irish-Japanese relations.

Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda | Photo: Embassy of Japan in Ireland

Ushioda-sensei was born in 1931 in Mito, Japan, and moved to Dublin in 1960. In 1970, she began volunteering at the Chester Beatty Library, and was promoted to curator of the Japanese Arts Collection in 1980. She retired in 1996, and currently lives in Dublin with her husband. Mrs. Ushioda is also a founder member of the IJA.

The lunch was attended by long standing IJA Members, who each gave a brief synopsis on their first introduction and relationship with Mrs. Ushioda. Her passion for Ireland and Japanese art in Ireland was clearly evident. She was even described as a ‘National Treasure’ by one member, which was later confirmed by Ms. Midori Yamamitsu of the Embassy of Japan in Ireland.

Book can be purchased at the Chester Beatty Library, online and at major booksellers across Ireland.

Half-Century in Dublin: Memoirs of Yoshiko Ushioda

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Caring for Japanese Art at the Chester Beatty Library is a memoir of Yoshiko Ushioda (translated by Etsuko Kanamori), looking back at more than five decades of life in Dublin.

The story begins in 1960, when she traveled from Tokyo with her young son to join her husband, a research-fellow at University College Dublin. Beginning as a volunteer at the Chester Beatty Library in 1970, she would go on to become curator and accompany masterpieces loaned by The Chester Beatty Library to special exhibitions all around the world. Both inspiring and heartfelt, Mrs. Ushioda’s memoir will be of interest to both lovers of Japanese Art and those interested in Irish-Japanese relations.

Yoshiko Ushioda was born in 1931 in Mito, Japan, and moved to Dublin in 1960. In 1970, she began volunteering at the Chester Beatty Library, and was promoted to curator of the Japanese Arts Collection in 1980. She retired in 1996, and currently lives in Dublin with her huband. Mrs. Ushioda is also a founder member of Ireland Japan Association.

Etsuko Kanamori was born in 1959 in Nagasaki and has worked as an interpreter and translator for Ericsson Japan, Fukuoka, Shin-Yokohama and Yokosuka Research Park. She currently lives in Dalkey, Ireland.

The book can be pre-ordered here!