Fascinating Batch of Bakumatsu and early Meiji documents owned by Shinzo Iwahashi and including a shipping contract in English
[Japan] A very interesting group of documents relating to shipping and information about the West that was owned by Iwahashi Shinzo, who was an officer of the daimyo, Sakai Tadashige (1827-95), who was also known as Utanokami. Included are documents listing the names and wealth of the various daimyo, a brief list of words in Japanese and their pronunciation in English (or possibly Dutch), a handwritten, 35-leaf manuscript book of 'Shinsei chikyu bankoku zusetsu' ['Explanation of the new map of all the countries in the world'], dated in the rear 1850 but first written by Katsukawa Hoshū (1751-1809) in 1786 and is based on the maps of the famous Dutch cartographer, Joan [also Johannes] Blaeu (1596-1673). One leaf simply contains the English alphabet written out, presumably written by Iwahashi for his English study. There is an interesting letter and charterparty dated April 1870, written in English between George E. Lane and Shinzo Iwahashi regarding the charter of a ship to take 820 Japanese passengers from Yokohama to Hyogo. For some reason, the passengers were not allowed to board the vessel at Shinagawa (see transcript of the letter below). In an old envelope, Iwahashi's Japanese translation of the agreement is included along with some other miscellaneous documents in Japanese that appear to relate to this shipping issue. Interestingly, there is also a sheet of wax-like paper that is addressed to S. Iwahashi Tokio [Tokyo] from S. Iwahashi in Upper Nyack, N.Y., USA, so it would appear that he may have spent some time in the US and sent items home to Japan at some point. It is also possible that the S. Iwahashi in New York was Shinzo Iwahashi's son, who had the same first initial, and sent something to his father in Japan. We haven't discovered any information about Shinzo Iwahashi.
The text of the English letter reads: "I hereby certify that owing to the Yedo Government not allowing eight hundred and twenty (820) Japanese passengers to embark at Sinagawa [Shinagawa] or to go on board the said Steamship "New York" at that anchorage it is understood and agreed to between the said Iwahashi, officer of the Prince of Utanokami and G. E. Lane - Agent of said Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company, that the said eight hundred and twenty (820) Japanese passengers shall come to Yokohama with all their personal and household effects and embark from that place on or before the 2nd day of April 1870, at noon. Yokohama April 1st, 1870. Geo. E. Lane, Agt. P.M.S.S. Co."
on the rear is added:
"I would also state, that if the S.S. "New York", is lost, or consumed by fire, on her voy[age], and fails to land the said 820 Japanese at Hiogo [Hyogo], neither of the parties signing the contract or agreement will be bound to fulfill the same, & no more money is to be paid by Iwahashi or his Prince. In case, after arrival at Hiogo, the wind should be so strong that boats could not land passengers, no claim for demurrage be made during that time. Geo. E. Lane. Agt. P.M.S.S. Co". The charterparty is attached to the letter.
George E. Lane first came to Japan in 1869 and was the agent for the Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company. He appears to have left Japan around 1874 as his name cannot be found in the Directories after that year.
Such early, primary resource, documents relating to Japan and the West seldom appear on the market.
Overall in good to very good condition. Expected age wear and creasing to some items. e36061655
