NEWSLETTER 36 Repro - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 22 FESTIVAL PLATE GOES TO JAPAN W BRO JOHN HOPE, a Past Master of Hall Cross Lodge No 5744, and his wife Sue recently visited their son and daughter-in-law who live in Tokyo. Their son Tom is a research Doctor and Lecturer and works for the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology based in central Tokyo. His wife Saeko is Japanese and is a full time Lecturer at Chuo University in Tokyo. During their three-week holiday to Japan they visited with their son and daughter-in- law the southern islands of Okinawa, Ishigaki and Taketomi which are very warm and sub-tropical, being only a few miles from Taiwan. They then returned to the main island of Honshu spending further time in Tokyo. This was followed by an excursion north to Nikko, where they saw magnificent Shrines, surrounded by snow capped mountains, lakes and experienced very cold bright weather. The opportunity to try natural hot springs and sample traditional Japanese accommodation was not missed, although sleeping on the floor (on tatami rush mats) was not regarded as comfortable and is not recommended to those who are not used to it! While in Tokyo, W Bro Hope and his family visited the Grand Lodge of Japan building which is situated in the very centre of Tokyo close to Tokyo Tower. They were given an interesting and informative two-hour tour of the building by W Bro Richard Smith, a Lancastrian and Past Master of Tokyo Masonic Lodge No 2, who has lived in Japan for over 20 years. Tokyo Masonic Lodge meets in the Grand Temple. W Bro Hope was later invited to a meeting of the Lodge and he had the pleasure of presenting a "Festival Plate" to the Master of Tokyo Masonic Lodge No 2. At the Festive Board, W Bro Hope also presented the Master with a pair of Provincial cuff links and the two wardens with Provincial lapel badges. The details of our charitable fund raising for the Festival were explained to the Brethren. Like many Lodges in foreign lands, military forces and military men have carried the light of Freemasonry around the world for hundreds of years and it was from the occupying American forces after the Second World War that the origins of the Lodge began. 20 On 11 August 1947, Tokyo American Lodge of Tokyo, Japan was placed under dispensation by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. After receiving the dispensation, the first communication of Tokyo American Lodge UD. was set for 9 October, 1947. On this important day in the Masonic history of Japan, more than 150 Brethren assembled at the Joshi Kaikan building, wearing aprons made from condemned Japanese parachutes, on which aprons someone had forgotten to place strings! The Jewels were made of scrap aluminum. A total of 102 Brethren signed the Tyler's Register. No sooner had World War II ended, Freemasonry started to return to the Philippines. By 1949 the Grand Lodge of the Philippines was well set and active in chartering lodges in Japan, which was open territory. However, in April 1949 the Grand Lodge of Connecticut decided it would not charter the Lodge, but had no objections to the Grand Lodge of the Philippines doing so. On March 16, 1949, the Grand Master of the Philippines, along with other Grand Lodge Officers arrived in Japan. On this visit to Japan the Grand Master was asked by the members of Tokyo American Lodge, UD if it would be possible for the Grand Lodge of the Philippines to charter the Lodge. This request was honoured by the Grand Master when he placed the former Tokyo American Lodge under dispensation with the new name of Tokyo Masonic Lodge. On 5 October, 1954, a Degree team WBro Hope hands over the Festival Plate with the Japanese Brethren looking on of 13 Masonic Masons, eleven of them from Tokyo Masonic Lodge, conferred for the first time ever the First Degree of Masonry in the Japanese language. This singular event the Lodge will cherish forever. By 1954, Tokyo Masonic Lodge was well set as a cornerstone of Freemasonry in Japan. On March 16, 1957 the Grand Lodge of Japan was formed and Tokyo Masonic Lodge took its proper place as Lodge No 2, by virtue of being the second oldest Lodge within the new Grand Lodge. Since its origins, conceived from members of the American occupying forces after the second World War under the dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut in1947, born under the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in 1949 and eventually under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Japan in 1957 the membership of Tokyo Masonic Lodge No 2 now involves Brethren who are Japanese nationals. GWA TILING Professional Wall & Floor Tiling Best Quality Work Assured Domestic & Commercial Free Quotations George Allen 01246 418825 or 07801 790973
NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 23 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS DIAMOND WEDDINGS W Bro Desmond Hurd, Lodge of Amity No 4148, and his wife, Alice, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 30 August 2007 W Bro Geoffrey Pickles, Lodge of Prince Frederick No 307, and his wife, Marjorie, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 25 October 2007. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS G. R. BEEVERS LTD. PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEERS (EST. 1970) 20 Hough End Lane, Leeds LS13 2EY Tel: 0113 257 9890 THE McDONALD PARTNERSHIP CHARTERED SURVEYERS 916 Ecclesall Road, Banner Cross, Sheffield S11 8TR Tel: 0114 268 7778 Fax: 0114 266 2618 R & J LODGE PURVEYORS OF FINE FOODS Greens End Rd, Meltham, Huddersfield HD7 3NW Tel: 01484 850571 THE WRIGHT FLORIDA VILLA A delightful detached villa on a quiet residential development in Central Florida • 20 mins from Disney • Sleeps up to 12 people - including master en-suite bedrooms • Private screened pool • Some 2007 dates still available Contact - David Wright Tel: 07832 270796 or 01924 265142 E-mail: wrights.usavilla@tiscali.co.uk Web-site: www.thewrightfloridavilla.com HART SHAW CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS We offer an extensive range of services Including Financial Admin Outsourcing Personal & Corporate Insolvency Buying & Selling Businesses Audit Strategic Business Planning Pension & Investment Advice Management Accounts Europa Link, Sheffield Business Park, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 1XU Fax: 0114 251 8851 Email: info@hartshaw.co.uk FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION Call Andrew Maybery 0114 251 8850 21
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

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