54
METHODIST CHURCH OF CANADA MISSION
J. G. Dunlop, M.A., and wife
OSAKA
NIIGATA BUSSAN KAISHA (Niigata Produce
Company)
Sudzuki Chohachi, director Fujita Bunji, manager
NIPPON YUSEN KAISHIA
M. Hama, agent
POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE
Director-Toru Tsuruda
ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSION
Rev. O. de Noailles, mission. apost. Rev. Alexis Cocherie
SISTERS OF CHARITY
Sœur Vitalme, supérieure
Sceurs Aspasie, Caroline
OSAKA
Osaka is the second city in Japan in point of size and commercial importance, and has not inaptly been termed the Venice of the Far East, owing to the manner in which it is intersected by canals. The city is compact and well laid out, the streets being regular, clean, and animated. Osaka is essentially Japanese, though a go-ahead and progressive city, and possesses much of interest to the foreign visitor. It is situated in the province of Settsu, and is built on the banks of the river Ajikawa, about five miles from the sea. The river is only navigable for small vessels, and on the opening of the railway to Kobe the foreign trade of Osaka commenced to decline. Almost all the foreign firms in the latter city have removed to Kobe. The most imposing and at the same time the most interesting object to be seen in Osaka is the Castle, erected in 1583 by one of the Shoguns, the famous Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Though less extensive than that of Tokyo, it is a much grander and more striking edifice, and is indeed, next to that of Nagoya, the finest example of the ancient feudal castles of Japan. It is now occupied by the Osaka garrison, and forms the headquarters of one of the six great military districts, and it has also within its inclosure an extensive military arsenal. The city is the seat of the provincial government, which is called Fucho, in contradistinction to the other provincial governments, which are termed Kencho. Osaka is the seat of numerous industries, including cotton spinning mills, shipbuilding yards, and iron works, and the Imperial Mint is located there. This establishment is in active operation and turns out a coinage not surpassed by any in the world. The imports in 1895 amounted to $2,621,261, and the exports to $1,134,700 against $1,014,813 imports and $764,367, exports in the previous year. The population of Osaka was 490,009 in December, 1895. The number of foreign residents was 103, not including Chinese. The British and American residents are, with few exceptions, missionaries.
DIRECTORY
CHINA AND JAPAN TRADING COMPANY, LD.
Agency
Phoenix Fire Insurance Company
CONSULATES
BELGIUM
Acting Consul—C. Du Bois (absent)
Do.
-J. Favre
EASTHAM, JAMES, 14, Concession, represen- tative of Dobson & Barlow, Manchester
FAVRE-BRANDT, C. & J., Watch and Clock
mporters-10, Concession
C. Favre-Brandt (Neuchatel) J. Favre-Brandt (Yokohama)
L. Du Bois (absent)'
C. Du Bois Yokohama
J. Favre, M.E., signs per pro. L. Rubattel
FIRE Brigade
Captain-Rev. C. Theo. Warren Foremen-C. W. M. Birch, L. M.
Oberkotter
Secretary and Treas.-Walter Loxton
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
IMPERIAL ARSENAL
Colonel Ota Tokusaburo, director
IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT MINT, Kawasaki
Director-T. Hasegawa
Assayer-Y. Koga, F.c.s.
OSAKA FUCHO
Governor-Utsumi Tadakatsu Secretary-Yoshiwara Saburo
Ch. Police Inspr.-Suzuki Sadanao Clerk-in-charge of For.Aff.-T.Maida