A special display of the Shuinjô issued by Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa to the English East India Company on 慶長十八年八月廿八日 〔2 October (OS), 1613〕and an accompanying mini symposium
The Bodleian Library was refounded by Sir Thomas Bodley in 1602, and thanks to its long history, the Library has inherited unique treasures since its early days, including some Japanese material, such as Ieyasu’s Shuinjô, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year.
Our Shuinjô, an original document issued by Shogun Ieyasu to the Captain of the East India Company, is the first agreement allowing the UK to trade with Japan, and permitting British citizens to reside in Japan, and therefore it is an extremely relevant in terms of celebrating the start of bilateral relations and trade. It would be a great opportunity for us to introduce such a historic document to the wider public and the academic community, and to raise the profile of Japan in the UK.
The event, designed to mark this special occasion, comprises of a special display of the Shuinjô and a small symposium to take place in early evening on 2nd October. It will be an Oxford’s contribution to this year’s nation-wide events in the UK: Japan 400, which is aimed at enriching dialogue and understanding between Japan and Britain and creating a positive legacy for our future relationship based on the openness and mutuality that began four centuries ago.
Photo caption: Shuinjo 朱印状THE FIRST TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ENGLAND AND JAPAN 1613: the original vermilion-seal document of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa 徳川家康, granting trade privileges in Japan to the English East India Company, Keichö 18, Eighth Month, 28th Day (12 October 1613). MS.Jap.b.2, Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
2nd October 2013 (Display will be on all day during Library opening hours, the symposium starting at 16.00)
Booking details on the Bodleian Library Website
For information on the Japanese Collection at the Bodleian Library, please see here and History and scope of the Japanese collections here and details of the symposium here
Supporting partners include Mitsubishi Corporation International (Europe) Plc
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Programme for the Symposium in the Convocation House, Old Library
Chair: Dr Sho Konishi, Senior Tutor, St. Antony’s College, Oxford
16.00 Speech by Mr Akio Miyajima, Minister Plenipotentiary, Japanese Embassy, and Mr Richard Ovenden, Acting Bodley’s Librarian
16.15 Prof Timon Screech (SOAS) Exactly Why Would You Want to Sail to Japan in 1613?
16.50 Prof Derek Massarella (Chuo University, Tokyo) The Shuinjô, the ‘Japonian Charter’, and the Changing World of International Relations 1603-1858
17.30 Alien inspirations: cultural relations – 1850-2000 Dr Gordon Daniels (formerly Reader in Japanese History, Sheffield University)
18.10 Q & A
18.30 -19.15 Reception (Divinity School, Bodleian Library)
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