Japanese Matsuri for Glasgow a Scottish charity SC034172 For the year ended 31 July 2025
Current trustees
Yushin Toda Chair Doyel Ghosh Secretary Carolyn Biggs Treasurer Mohammad Abdulhadi Iain Caldwell Jamie Campbell Aynsleigh Hollywood Fumi Nakabachi Yulia Ovcharova Brenda Smylie
Objectives and Activities
Charitable purposes
To advance the education of the public in Japanese culture and heritage by the organising and operating of a Japanese festival (matsuri) to be held in Glasgow (or elsewhere as the membership may deem appropriate) with a view to promoting wide community involvement and the promotion of awareness of different cultures.
Activities
The charity organises two Japanese festivals (matsuri) a year in Glasgow: Hina Matsuri in February/March and Japanese Matsuri in June. These festivals are admission free and open to all, regardless of their backgrounds. Prior to the festivals, JMG runs Taiko Japanese drumming workshops, and all the participants are encouraged to perform Taiko at the festivals, regardless of their skills. In addition, JMG visits primary and secondary schools in Glasgow and beyond to run workshops on Japanese culture and heritage.
Achievements and performance
In 2024/25 (1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025), the association delivered its activities, including Hina Matsuri and Japanese Matsuri.
Hina Matsuri
The 23rd Hina Matsuri was held on Sunday 2 March 2025 in the Kibble Palace, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, in partnership with the Botanic Gardens, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Admission was free. Taiko was performed by P5 pupils from Hillhead Primary School, Glasgow, and the participants of the Taiko workshops run by the association. Japan Experience corner included Japanese calligraphy, origami, and colouring of Japan-themed pictures.
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Japanese Matsuri
The 23rd Japanese Matsuri was held on Saturday 14 June 2025 at Kelvin West Church, Glasgow, from 3pm to 5pm. Admission was free. This was registered with WestFest. Taiko was performed by the participants of the Taiko workshops run by the association. Japan Experience corner included Japanese calligraphy, origami, and colouring of Japan-themed pictures, and kimono wearing.
Taiko Workshops
In 2024/25, eight Taiko workshops were held in Kelvin West Church, Glasgow.
School Visits
On behalf of the association, Japan Desk Scotland visited seven primary schools in Glasgow and beyond to run 29 workshops on Japan in 2024/25. Cumbernauld Academy, North Lanarkshire, was visited nine times to run Japanese Club during a lunch break.
An organ concert for Hillhead Primary’s P5 children
An organ concert was held for three P5 classes from Hillhead Primary School, Glasgow, on 16 May 2025 at Kelvin West Church, where the P5 children learned Taiko prior to the Hina Matsuri.
Committee meetings
In 2024/25, the association’s Committee meetings were held three times in February, April and July.
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Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 July 2025
| Period ended | Period ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | 31/07/2024 | |
| Receipts | ||
| Donations to JMG | 59.00 | 114.16 |
| Receipts from charitable activities | 619.00 | 609.00 |
| Total receipts | 678.00 | 723.16 |
| Payments | ||
| Cost of charitable activities | 847.10 | 865.09 |
| Total payments | 847.10 | 865.09 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the year | (169.10) | (141.93) |
Notes to the account
RECEIPTS
Donations
● The donations of £59 include £41 raised at the Japanese Matsuri held in June 2025.
| Receipts from charitable activities | (2024/25) | (2023/24) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual/family membership fees | 39.00 | 47.00 |
| Corporate membership fee |
400.00 | 400.00 |
| Taiko workshop fees |
180.00 | 162.00 |
| Sub-total |
619.00 | 609.00 |
- The corporate membership fee of £400 was from Ichiban, Glasgow.
● Taiko workshops were held eight times this year (nine times last year), but the Taiko workshop fees increased from £162.00 to £180.00.
PAYMENT
| PAYMENT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost of charitable activities | (2024/25) | (2023/24) |
| Venue rental fees | 501.00 | 500.00 |
| Transportation | 75.00 | 75.00 |
| Materials | 10.00 |
———- |
| Insurance | 192.10 | 192.10 |
| Marketing | 69.00 | 97.99 |
| Sub-total | 847.10 | 865.09 |
-
The insurance cost consists of musical instrument insurance (£61.06) and public liability insurance (£131.04).
-
The transportation cost refers to the payment to a van driver at Hina Matsuri.
-
The marketing cost of £69 is the participation fee for the WestFest.
Surplus (Deficit) The deficit is £169.10.
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