The Lotus Club: Japanese Documentary Series

A lotus flower grows out of the mud and blossoms above the muddy surface of the water. What are seen above the muddy surface of Japan and Scotland, in the eyes of two Glasgow-based Japanese journalists?

The Lotus Club is a monthly documentary screening club running from 6-7.30pm on the last Wednesday of each month. 

Free, but ticketed please book here. 

Our 2026 dates are as follows:

28-January, 25-February, 29-April, 27-May, 24-June, 29-July, 26-August, 30-September, 28-October, 25-November.

28 January 

“Teaching Scottish Country Dance in Scotland - Atsuko Clement” (2019) 

She came from Japan to Scotland to learn Scottish Country Dance. Now she is teaching it in Scotland. 

“Japanese isn’t English” (2016) 

Which aspects of English pronunciation are difficult to teach in Japan? 

25 February 

“The bird, the tree, the fish and the bell of Glasgow” (2014) 

What do you read in this enigmatic rhyme associated with Glasgow’s coat of arms? Christian ministers, an artist and a Taichi teacher ponder. 

“Sophie’s Glasgow” (2016) 

Sophie is eleven years old, living in Glasgow. She shows around her Glasgow. 

29 April 

“Environmental Radioactivity in Fukushima in 2019” (2021) 

A snap-shot of Fukushima in 2019. Fukushima-Chernobyl research project was disrupted by the pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yet, life and work went on at Fukushima University and a local sake distillery. 

27 May 

“Design Kimono - Koji YOSHIE” (2017) 

“Live a tradition in Maramures, Romania” (2014) 

What does it mean to keep traditional art forms? A Kimono designer in Kyoto and a folk musician in Romania living in a traditional timber house, talk about their challenges. 

24 June 

“Equality and Equity at Scottish School - Andrew Robson” (2017) 

“Equity at Scottish School - Lois Lurinsky” (2019) 

“Yawata Primary, Soma City, Fukushima” (2014) 

What is fairness at school? Equality or Equity? This question was answered by two teachers at Hillhead Primary School, Glasgow. With this question in mind, a short video of a Japanese school may be revealing. 

29 July 

“Our Scotland: a Japanese perspective” (2013) 

What is seen in Scotland by strangers/outsiders living there? 

“Hope - Rev Dr Norman Shanks” (2016) 

Why do people have hope in difficult circumstances? 

26 August 

“Hiroshima after Fukushima” (2018) 

“Christianity is about relationship, hope…Rev Bruce Keeble” (2015) 

He was born in China. In his childhood, he was captured in Japanese 

internment camps in China. 50 years later, he came to Glasgow as a church minister and found, among the congregation, two Japanese. 

30 September 

“Rehabilitate Tomioka, Fukushima” (2020) 

All the residents of Tomioka Town, Fukushima, were evacuated after the nuclear accident of March 2011. The government has tried to return them by removing top layers of radioactive soil. How has this endeavour worked? 

28 October 

“Glasgow West Housing Association: an unofficial story” (2015) 

Glasgow West Housing Association dates back to Hillhead Housing Association established in the late 1970s by two churches. What are visions of the founding members and those who have developed it? 

25 November 

“X” 

This is currently being edited, using interviews carried out in July 2025. It will be Japan Desk Scotland’s 14th Fukushima documentary.