Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2021

Presentation information

[E] Poster

H (Human Geosciences ) » H-CG Complex & General

[H-CG20] International comparison of landscape appreciation

Thu. Jun 3, 2021 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM Ch.09

convener:yoji aoki(Open University of Japan)

5:15 PM - 6:30 PM

[HCG20-P01] Appreciation of Japanese landscapes by western diplomat (1859-1861)

*yoji aoki1, fumihoro konta2 (1.Open University of Japan, 2.National Science Museum)

Keywords:landscape appreciation, diplomat inspection, End of Edo era

By the popularity of landscape painting in Europe, some visitors appreciated the beauty of Japanese landscape. After the residence of diplomat of European countries (Table 1), they investigated the local areas of Japan and found beauty of Japanese landscape.

(1)Hodgson, C.P.

He described the beauty around Hakodate. He praised Mt. Komagatake, Onuma lake, Funkawan Bay, village of Kikonai, and Mt. Esan. He called the area of Mt. Esan to be Switzerland in Japan. He described many plants, and praised oaks and Camphor tree, flowers of cherry, peaches, plums and peony, and daisies, orchids, dwarf roses, and lilies for herbs. He described the Japanese religion as resembling a forest-loving Druid. He also noted that he was a doctor a great nature lover.

(2)Alcock, R.

His description often observed the scenery and praised the beautiful scenery in Nagasaki, the suburbs of Edo, Hakodate, Hakone, Atami, Kanzaki, Kakegawa, Kasagi, etc. But he wrote that he didn't feel like admiring the Seto Inland Sea. This is a landscape evaluation that is different from many tourists. Since he is looking at Norway and Switzerland, it seems that he did not feel the topographical impression there. He noted and praised the variety of plants in the suburbs of Edo.

(3)Lindau, R.

He appreciated the scenery of Nagasaki, Edo, Kanazawa-hakkei, and Kamakura in his way. Especially in the Osumi Strait, he praised the scenery of Mt. Kaimondake. However, at Kanazawa Hakkei, he never touched on the contents of Hakkei. He describes the transparency of Japanese air by looking at the starry sky. It reminds us that the air of Swiss was polluted at that time.

(4)Eulenburg, A.G.F.

They seem to have aimed at academic research on Japan, and have excellent information gathering ability and insight. The landscape is described in Edo, Kanagawa, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Mogi, and the plant species are detailed. They discovered what are not in their country, such as travel guide books, flower calendars, and situations of snow accumulation. Japanese are travel lovers, horticultural enthusiasts, and Japan has abundant flowers, fist-like snow accretion, and etc., which clearly show the differences in the natural conditions of Japan to Europe.

(5)Spiess, G.

He evaluated the scenery of Yokohama, Edo, and Nagasaki. He was amazed at the camellia flowers, green leaves and bamboo. It was not clear that the beauty of the moonlit night was special in Japan.

(6)Werner, R.

He appreciated the scenery in Nagasaki and Edo, Yokohama hill, and Mt. Kompira. He described that temples and shrines occupy a good place and good nature is set up it. He wrote that beautiful forests should reminiscent of parks in Germany. He wrote that the festival in Nagasaki is beautiful. He noted that the Chinese aesthetics did not fit. He speculated why people believes polytheism.

(7)Brant, M.

He is familiar with plants and described the natural beauty of Japan, such as the condition of the primeval forest in Hokkaido and the rows of trees on the highway. He was also pleased with the incomprehensible combination of north and south vegetation, camellia with snow, conifers with ferns. On the other hand, he points out that the Seto Inland Sea is a landscape that extends lengthy to the Rhine. He liked Hokkaido and wanted to explore the island detailed.

(8)Fortune, R.

He left descriptions of the landscape with so many plants. He praised Aucuba japonica, Asunaro, Sawara, Hinoki, Japanese cedar and others. He praised azaleas, cherry blossoms, Japanese primrose, wisteria, peonies, Tessen, irises, spirea, Senno, and lilies in flowers. He pointed out that Japanese people like plants. And since the lower classes also have knowledge of plants, he evaluated that Japanese culture is high. But he could not understand what was Kanazawa-hakkei.

(9)Black, J.R.

He described the beauty of the trees and views of the Tokaido, the view from Mt. Fuji, the beauty of the Fuji River from the Nanbu to Minobu, and the beauty of the mountains of Nakasendo.