DESPITE being over 5500 miles away from each other, Scotland and Japan are closely linked.
In 1873, Henry Dyer from what is now Bellshill was recruited to teach at an engineering school.
For his work in Japan, Dyer was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun – the highest honour given by the country’s government to a foreigner.
Well over a century later, Pat Simpson, who lives in Falkirk, told The National how her husband Alistair received the same award for his work promoting Bonsai throughout Scotland.
Alistair died on March 28 2015, exactly 50 years from the day he got engaged to his wife, after battling with cancer for many years.
His wife told The National how their love of Bonsai led to the day she describes as the “proudest” of their lives.
“My husband was energy personified and back in about 1985 we joined the Scottish Bonsai Association (SBA) and that led us down a gardening-related path.
“He spent 17 years as the newsletter editor and he worked as their membership secretary. He was also their longest serving chairman”, Simpson, 81, explained.
A Bonsai tree is a living tree or shrub which is grown in such a way that it gives the impression of being a full-sized, mature tree.
Although Bonsai itself is of Japanese origin, the concept took root in China nearly 3000 years ago where people would cultivate ornamental plants to imitate natural scenery within gardens
As part of their work with the SBA, the couple travelled Scotland promoting the art form, speaking with horticultural and gardening clubs.
“Any tree practically can be made into a Bonsai. We used to go and chat about the basics and give people a closer look. We would show them the techniques to shape them into something they would like.”
She fondly recalls travelling up the west coast where a friend who worked in forestry gave them old trees and plants which were being discarded.
“Doing all this meant that the consul general recommended him for recognition by the Japanese government for helping to promote Bonsai throughout Scotland.”
The work done by both Simpson and her late husband also led them on a “Bonsai tour” of Japan, an experience she described as “absolutely wonderful”.
She said: “We were taken to various Bonsai nurseries and two of them were very famous ones because the gentleman in charge was considered a Bonsai master.
“We were treated brilliantly. I remember being taken inside and getting to watch him work which was a real honour.”
She also noted many similarities between Japan and her home country.
Simpson explained: “Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. They were really helpful even though we couldn’t communicate easily as we didn’t speak Japanese.
“They are so enthusiastic about what they do and it was an absolutely wonderful tour. Japan is really proud of their links with Scotland.”
Anyone who wishes to visit Scotland’s own collection of Bonsai is still able to do so, although it has had several locations over the past few decades.
Its first home was at Malleny Gardens in Balerno near Edinburgh until 2000 when it was moved to Suntrap Gardens in Gogar.
However, in 2011, the National Trust for Scotland and Oatridge College decided to close the gardens with the trustees of the SBA deciding to move the collection to Binny Plants in West Lothian.
Simpson’s husband was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in 2007. He became just the seventh scot to receive the honour since 1875.
Simpson added: “He had a ceremony on a special evening at the residence of the consul general. He never looked for any recognition.
“I think that reception was the proudest moment of our lives.”
