Directory_and_Chronicle_1895 — Page 461

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NIIGATA-OSAKA

METHODIST CHURCH OF CANADA MISSION

J. G. Dunlop, B.A.

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 Sœurs 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 1893 amounted to $6,504,997 and the exports to $1,212,892, against $5,547,370 imports and $1,258,532 exports in the previous year. The population of Osaka was 485,331 in December, 1893. The number of foreign residents was 461, including 330 Chinese. The British and American residents are, with few exceptions, missionaries.

DIRECTORY

BEAM, JOHN MURRAY, Consulting Engineer, FAVRE-BRANDT, C. & J., Watch and Clock

Tomijimacho Kitaku

CHINA AND JAPAN TRADING COMPANY, LD.

Agency

Phoenix Fire Insurance Company

CONSULATE BELGIUM

Acting Consul-C. Du Bois

EASTHAM, JAMES, Nakanoshima, represen- tative of Dobson & Barlow, Manchester

Importers-10, Concession

C. Favre-Brandt (Neuchatel) J. Favre-Brandt (Yokohama)

L. Du Bois (absent)

C. Du Bois

L. Rubattel

FIRE BRIGADE

Captain-Rev. G. H. Pole

Foremen-Rev. G. Allchin, S. Meadows Secretary and Treas.-Walter Loxton