Directory_and_Chronicle_1897 — Page 95

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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