Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 498

I

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 1897 amounted to yen 4,424,742 and the exports to yen 2,342,437 against yen 4,213,790 imports and yen 1,141,325 exports in the previous year. The population of Osaka was 490,009 in December, 1895. The number of foreign residents on 31st December, 189, was 119, 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-J. Favre

FAVRE-BRANDT, C. & J., Watch and Clock

Importers-10, Concession

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

L. Du Bois (absent)

J. Favre, M.E., signs per pro.

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-Kikuchi Kanji Secretary-Nishiyama Shotaro Ch. Police Inspr.-Nishida Yeitaro Clerk-in-charge of For.Aff.-T.Maida

OSAKA CASTLE

Commandant-General M. Ogawa

OSAKA CHIHO SAIBANSHO (Distrt. Court) Presdt. and Judge---Umayabara Jiro Pub. Procurator—Mizukami Chojiro

OSAKA KOSOIN (Court of Appeal)

President and Judge Kabuto

Kuninori Chief Public

Sadatoshi

Procurator-Oshima

OSAKA KU SAIBANSHO (Local Court)

Superdng. Judge-Matsuno Setzupu