宝文館 吉岡平助と 森琴石と 前田吉彦の繋がり

These two postal stationery cards dated 1889 and 1890 were sent to Maeda Yoshihiko from Hobunkan Yoshioka Heisuke of Osaka. Founded in 1885 as a publishing wholesaler, Hobunkan focused on a wide range of printed materials, including textbooks, literary works, newspapers, and periodicals. The 1889 card is singed by Iwamoto Eishichi (岩本栄七), while the 1890 card is signed by Iwamoto Eishichi and Yoshioka Heisuke. However, based on the handwriting style, they appear to be by the same hand; the addressing also appears to be by that hand. 

It is interesting to note here that Mori Kinseki (森琴石, 1843-1921), who studied Western-style painting like Maeda Yoshihiko, worked extensively with Hobunkan (宝文館 ほうぶんかん), providing illustrations for various publications. This partnership allowed his artwork to reach a broader audience, as Hobunkan was known for its wide distribution network and quality publications.

和知泰一郎 陸軍歩兵少佐から前田吉彦宛のはがき

This New Year's greeting card was sent from Hiroshima on January 7, 1890, by Major Wachi Taiichirō of the Japanese Imperial Army Infantry. The message side is preprinted. He later achieved the rank of Colonel during his distinguished military career. In the National Diet Library of Japan database (https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/843147/1/54?keyword=和知泰一郎), Major Wachi is mentioned in the Imperial Military Literature, edited by Junichiro Suzuki and published in 1895 (see photo). This record shows that he communicated from the battlefield to assure his family of his safety and well-being.

For further details and related historical context, you can visit the following websites:

http://yutaka901.fc2web.com/page5dux12.html

https://tomura.lolipop.jp/9/3chuukonhi/28magameyamajinjagaisenhi.htm

Although Wachi Taiichirō was noteworthy, it was his son, Takaji Wachi (和知 鷹二, 1893–1978), who achieved significant historical prominence. Takaji Wachi rose to the rank of Lieutenant General during World War II, and his extensive biography is available online for those interested in learning more about his impactful career.

We do not know what the relationship between Maeda and Wachi was at this time. Perhaps more information will become available as we study this collection of postcards further.

1891年備中美袋から前田吉彦気付のはがき

This “in-care-of” stationery card, mailed from Minagi in Bichu on October 29, 1891, was addressed to a guest staying with Yoshihiko Maeda (前田吉彦) at Yamate-dori 6-chome (山手通 六丁目). Unfortunately, both the recipient’s and the sender’s names remain illegible.

On February 5, 2025, we discovered two additional cards dated September 12, 1891, and August 16, 1889. We believe these were also sent by the same individual who posted the October 29, 1891 card, but once again we have been unable to decipher the sender’s name.

神戸の富山芝人、 富山隆と前田吉彦の繋がりは？

The more I research 富山芝人 (Toyama Shibahito) through this はがき collection, the more I uncover about his life, despite the information being quite fragmentary. He not only worked on an abridged translation of the book Russo-Turkish War Records (露土戦争記), published in 1878 (Meiji 11), but he also contributed to HIOGO NEWS and was actively involved in the tree nursery business in 神戸 (Kobe). We do not yet know whether 富山隆 (Toyama Takashi), who was also active in the nursery business, was the son, brother, or another relative of 芝人 (Shibahito).

One postcard from this collection features 富山芝人 (Toyama Shibahito) writing from Kobe on October 10, 1891, to 富山隆 (Toyama Takashi) in Tottori, Inaba. Shibahito seems to address the card "in care of" someone, but we are unable to decipher that name. This document is significant as it showcases Toyama Shibahito's penmanship (see above). Takashi was likely there on a business trip.

Additionally, we found a card written by Toyama Takashi on January 21, 1886, sent to someone named Kobayashi in Tansu-machi, Tokyo. From this card, we can also discern Takashi's penmanship style. However, to our untrained eyes, Shibahito and Takashi share a very similar writing style(see above).

The two cards we illustrate here (see above) further demonstrate that 富山芝人 (Toyama Shibahito) had a connection with HIOGO NEWS. One of these cards, a New Year's greeting dated 1885, was sent by Takaatsu Okazaki of Osaka (岡崎高厚 1853-1904, Freedom and People's Rights Movement Activist of the Meiji Era) and is simply addressed to Toyama at Hyogo News (兵庫ニュース). Another New Year's card from the same year, also originating from Osaka, addresses Toyama as 兵庫ニュース社長 (President of Hyogo News). We understand that HIOGO NEWS was a biweekly English newspaper based in Kobe (Hyogo), first published on April 23, 1868.

Furthermore, the Toyama family was involved in the plant nursery business, as evidenced by four illustrated cards that include the term "植木商" (Ueki-shō) in their address. This term refers to businesses engaged in the cultivation and sale of plants, trees, and shrubs, often focusing on ornamental or landscape plants. The dates on these cards are 1886, 1888, 1890, and one with an illegible postmark.

Additionally, although one card (see below) does not include "植木商" (Ueki-shō) in the address, it references lily bulbs in a message sent by 井代篤子 (Ishiro Atsuko) in 1883. Unfortunately, we could not find any information about her online.

Finally, we were able to confirm that 富山芝人 (Toyama Shibahito) is indeed the translator of Russo-Turkish War Records (露土戦争記). In the book, he is mentioned as having performed 抄訳 (しょうやく, shōyaku), which refers to a "summary translation" or "abridged translation." This process involves translating only the essential parts or main points of a document rather than providing a verbatim translation. His name and address are clearly indicated in the book (see photos).

When we posted about the famous peonies (see October 16 post), known as "Kiksuke peonies," featured in One Hundred Views of Osaka, we had no idea how crucial a role Toyama would play in our subsequent posts. We do not yet know how he is related to Maeda Yoshihiko, but they were neighbors in Kobe. We hope to uncover more as this blog progresses.

Yoshihiko Maeda 前田吉彦 (1849–1904) 日本西洋画の先駆者 Blog Post Change

Although post titles will remain in Japanese, descriptions will be in English going forward, as writing in Japanese requires too much effort. My eyes and brain would be overwhelmed if I kept it up. Moreover, with hundreds of these postcards to investigate, time is limited.

前田吉彦と船井長次郎の連名宛先のはがき

 

このはがきは、備中総社の消印が押され、明治24年8月5日の日付があります。宛先は、前田吉彦と船井長次郎の二重宛名で、神戸元町5丁目35番地に送られました。差出人は田渕玄三郎と考えられます。メッセージには、冨山（おそらく冨山柴人）という人物が言及されており、彼は1878年（明治11年）に出版された『露土戦争記』の翻訳者とされています。

This postcard bears the postmark of Bitchū Sōja and is dated August 5, 1891 (Meiji 24). The address is a double addressee, Maeda Yoshihiko and Funai Chōjirō, sent to 35 5-chome, Motomachi, Kobe. The sender is believed to be Tabuchi Genzaburō. The message mentions a person named Tomiyama (presumably Toyama Shibahito), who is known as the translator of "Record of the Russo-Turkish War," published in 1878 (Meiji 11).

前田吉彦宛ての赤文字はがきと類似はがき

このはがきは前田吉彦に送られた黒の背景に赤文字で書かれたものにとてもよく似ています (10月7日の投稿参照)。ただし、これら二つのはがきは異なる個人から送られたものです。このはがきは、神戸の冨山柴人宛てで、大阪川口から明治23年8月20日に送られました。送信者とメッセージの内容は判読できません。他に同じようなはがきをご存知の方はいらっしゃいますか？

This postcard is very similar to the one sent to Maeda Yoshihiko, which was written in red letters on a black background (see the October 7 post). However, these two postcards were sent by different individuals. This postcard was addressed to Tomiyama Shibito in Kobe and sent from Kawaguchi, Osaka, on August 20, 1890 (Meiji 23). The sender and the content of the message are unreadable. Does anyone know of similar postcards?

全く読めない1887年大阪からのはがき

明治20年8月24日、大阪から発送され、前田吉彦宛てに送られたはがきは、美しい筆跡で書かれています。しかし、残念ながら、メッセージの内容を読むことも、差出人の名前を読むこともできません。情けないですね。

This postcard, sent to Maeda Yoshihiko from Osaka on August 24, 1887 (Meiji 20), is written in beautiful handwriting. Unfortunately, the content of the message and the name of the sender are unreadable. How unfortunate.

明治23年の安東久次郎から前田吉彦宛の年賀状

この年賀状は明治23年1月1日に大阪から安東久次郎（アンドウ、キュウジロウ、1867-1932 国立国会図書館サーチ）によって送られました。彼は大阪市東区北浜4丁目41番屋敷の住所を記載しています。ちなみに、安東は前田吉彦に対して4丁目と記載しており、6丁目ではありません。この二人の関係は不明です。安東久次郎は大阪において衛生管理や製薬業界に関わっていたようです。

This New Year's card was sent by Ando Kyujiro (1867-1932, National Diet Library search) from Osaka on January 1, 1890 (Meiji 23). He listed his address as 41 Kitahama 4-chome, Higashi-ku, Osaka. Incidentally, Ando addressed Maeda Yoshihiko as being in 4-chome, not 6-chome. The relationship between these two individuals is unknown. Ando Kyujiro appears to have been involved in sanitation management and the pharmaceutical industry in Osaka.

大阪の有名な牡丹栽培家、松井吉助

これら二枚のはがきは前田吉彦とは直接関係ありませんが、明治時代の美術に関連し、コレクションの一部としてこのブログに掲載することにしました。これらは神戸の冨山柴人に宛てたもので、オンライン検索によると、彼は1878年（明治11年）に出版された「露土戦争記」の翻訳者とされています。それ以上の情報は見つかりませんでした。

These two postcards are not directly related to Maeda Yoshihiko, but I have decided to include them in this blog as part of the collection related to Meiji-era art. These postcards were addressed to Toyama Shibahito in Kobe, who, according to an online search, is identified as the translator of "Record of the Russo-Turkish War," published in 1878 (Meiji 11). No further information was found.

この二枚のはがきは、明治24年（1891年) 1月1日と明治25年 (1892年）2月27日に書かれたもので、送り主は島之内大阪の松井吉助です。吉助はこの地で庭園と苗木を管理し、牡丹の花で有名でした。これらの牡丹は「吉助牡丹」として知られていました。吉助の牡丹は非常に評価が高く、「大阪百景」にも取り上げられました。

These two postcards were written on January 1, 1891 (Meiji 24), and February 27, 1892 (Meiji 25), by Matsui Kichisuke from Shimanouchi, Osaka. Kichisuke managed gardens and saplings in this area and was renowned for his peonies, known as "Kichisuke Peonies." These peonies were highly esteemed and even featured in the "One Hundred Views of Osaka."

ここに示された写真は、ボストン美術館のコレクションに所属しています。The photos shown here belong to the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

1889年のはがき: 前田吉彦宛の美術用品の話

このはがきは、明治22年9月28日に中島〇〇から神戸北長五町目十三番？より送られ、大阪市の前田吉彦宛てに送られました。住所は大阪市東〇南〇町三丁目 / 呉商社事黒田卯兵エ氏方です。前田吉彦が1889年9月に大阪にいた理由はわかりませんが、この手紙の書き手は、特に「クラヒオンチョーク」という美術用品の確保について話しています。「クラヒオン」はチョークのブランド名であったか、クレヨンの誤発音であったか、あるいはパステルやクレパスのような特別なチョークの一種であったかもしれません。おそらく、この呉商社事は美術用品の輸入業者か製造業者であったかもしれません。

This postcard was sent on September 28, 1889 (Meiji 22) by Nakajima from Kitacho 5-chome 13, Kobe, to Maeda Yoshihiko in Osaka. The address is listed as Higashi X Minami- X cho 3-chome / Kure Trading Company, Kuroda Uhei's residence. The reason Maeda Yoshihiko was in Osaka in September 1889 is unknown, but the writer of this letter specifically discusses securing "Kurahion chalk." "Kurahion" could have been a brand name for chalk, a mispronunciation of crayon, or a special type of chalk similar to pastels or oil pastels. It is possible that this Kure Trading Company was an importer or manufacturer of art supplies.

永沼小一郎 (牧野富太郎の教師): 1886年の巡礼の話

こちらのはがきは、土佐高知の消印が押されており、明治20年1月4日の日付が付いていて、前田吉彦宛の神戸下山手通1丁目に送られています。通常は6丁目なのですが。。。永沼はいくつかの絵を描いており、彼の遍路巡礼に関係するものでしょうか？櫂の絵、岩に刺さった矢、将棋の駒などが描かれています。永沼は高知奉公人町下1丁目21番の住所を記載しています。

This postcard bears the postmark of Tosa Kōchi and is dated January 4, 1887 (Meiji 20). It was sent to Maeda Yoshihiko at Shimo-yamate-dori 1-chome, Kobe, though the usual address is 6-chome. Naganuma has drawn several pictures, likely related to his pilgrimage, including an image of a paddle, an arrow stuck in a rock, and shogi pieces. Naganuma lists his address as 21 Shimo-1-chome, Hōkōnin-machi, Kōchi.

Naganuma Koichirō was a knowledgeable teacher well-versed in science and botany. He was a mentor to Makino Tomitarō (牧野富太郎, 1862–1957), who later became a distinguished botanist often referred to as the "Father of Japanese Botany." It's interesting to note that Makino was also an artist. He initially created botanical illustrations in the traditional Japanese style, but his artwork later evolved to reflect Western influences.

鉛筆で書かれた明治時代のはがき

鉛筆で書かれた明治時代のはがきは珍しく、神戸が「神べ」と書かれているこのはがきはすぐに私の目を引きました。このはがきは大阪の消印があり、明治23年1月24日の日付が記されています。3つの小さな絵、幽霊、老人の顔、門のある住居が描いてあり、なかなか面白いです。内容が読めないので、これらの絵が何を意味するのかは分かりません。前田吉彦は何を思ったのか、気になります。内容が解読されない限り、この謎は解けず、未解決のままです。

この「絵はがき」の送信者はアーティストかイラストレーターだったのでしょうか？吉彦"君"と書いてあるので、仲の良い友達か目上の人だったのでしょう。

Pencil-drawn postcards from the Meiji era are rare, and this one, where Kobe is written as "神べ", immediately caught my attention. The postcard bears a postmark from Osaka, dated January 24, 1890 (Meiji 23). It features three small illustrations: a ghost, an old man's face, and a residence with a gate—quite intriguing. Since the content is unreadable, the meaning of these illustrations remains a mystery. It is curious to wonder what Maeda Yoshihiko might have thought upon receiving it. Until the content is deciphered, this puzzle remains unsolved.

Was the sender of this "picture postcard" an artist or illustrator? The use of "君" (kun) for Yoshihiko suggests that the sender was likely a close friend or someone of higher status.

歴史の一端を紐解く: 前田吉彦へ送られたはがきと美育社

こちらのはがきは、明治24年10月31日に赤木久太郎から神戸下山手通六丁目の前田吉彦へ送られたもので、備中総社の消印が押されています。例によって、文字は判読できませんが、西洋画用油絵具について書いているようです。赤木久太郎は作家であり、ペンネームとして赤木巴山や赤木巴山人をよく使用していました。1901年（明治34年）に、赤木は黒田湖山と共に文学出版会社・美育社を設立しています。美育社は明治時代において文学作品や雑誌の出版に重要な役割を果たしました。

赤木がこの時代にしては珍しいインクの色をこのはがきに使用していることもおもしろいと思います。

巴山人に関する興味深い文章が以下のリンクから見つかりました: (https://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/001341/files/49635_40535.html)

"つらつらここにわが売文の由来を顧み尋たずぬるにわれ始めて小説の単行本といふもの出いだせしはわが友巴山人（はさんじん）赤木君の経営せし美育社なり。数ふれば早はや十七年のむかしとなりぬ。巴山人は早稲田出身の文士にて漣山人門下の秀才なりしが明治三十四年同門の黒田湖山と相図あいはかり麹町三番町二七不動のほとりに居をかまへ文学書類の出版を企てき。その頃文学小説の出版としいへば殆ど春陽堂一手の専門にて作家は紅葉露伴の門下たるにあらずんば殆どその述作を公にするの道なかりしかば、義侠の巴山人奮然意を決してまづわれら木曜会の気勢を揚げしめんがために貲しを投じ美育社なるものを興し月刊雑誌『饒舌』を発行したり..."

This postcard was sent by Akagi Kyutarō to Maeda Yoshihiko at 6-chome, Shimo-yamate-dori, Kobe, on October 31, 1891 (Meiji 24), with a postmark from Bitchū Sōja. As usual, the text is unreadable, but it seems to discuss Western oil paints. Akagi Kyutarō was an author who often used pen names such as Akagi Hasan or Akagi Hasanjin. In 1901 (Meiji 34), Akagi co-founded the literary publishing company Biikusha with Kuroda Kozan. Biikusha played an important role in publishing literary works and magazines during the Meiji period.

I also find it interesting that Akagi used an unusual ink color for this postcard, considering the time period.

An intriguing passage about Hasanjin can be found at the following link: (https://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/001341/files/49635_40535.html)

The passage reads:

"Reflecting here on the origins of my writing, I recall that it was through my friend Hasanjin (Hasan) Akagi that I first published a standalone novel, under his management at Biikusha. It’s been seventeen years already. Hasanjin was a writer from Waseda University, a talented student under the mentorship of Senzanji, but in 1901, he and Kuroda Kozan, another member of the same literary school, decided to publish literature and literary works, setting up shop in Kōjimachi, near Fudō in Yūshō, launching the monthly magazine 'Jōzetsu' and other literary works to challenge the near monopoly of literary publishing by Shun'yōdō, which was mostly focused on works by authors from the school of Kōyō Rōhan..."

前田吉彦宛てのはがきから見る明治時代の交流

前田吉彦宛てのはがきの中には、4丁目、5丁目、7丁目の住所に送られたものもありますが、これらは送付者による誤りであった可能性が高いです。300枚のはがきの大多数は兵庫県尋常師範学校時代（1886〜1892年）の間に前田が住んでいた下山手通6丁目に宛てられているため、彼が6丁目に住んでいたことは間違いありません。

山下から4丁目に送られた年賀状は、京都から明治23年1月2日に郵便消印が押されていました。前田宛ての5丁目の住所に送られたものは、備中（岡山) 地頭 から明治20年9月1日に発送されましたが、メッセージの内容や送付者の名前を読むことができません。7丁目の住所に送られたもう一つのはがきは、差出人不明で、京都から明治24年7月9日に消印が押されています。

Some of the postcards sent to Maeda Yoshihiko were addressed to 4-chome, 5-chome, and 7-chome, but it is likely that these were mistakes made by the senders. The majority of the 300 postcards are addressed to Shimo-yamate-dori 6-chome, where Maeda lived during his time at the Hyogo Prefectural Normal School (1886–1892), so it is certain that he resided at 6-chome.

A New Year's card sent from Yamashita to 4-chome was postmarked on January 2, 1890 (Meiji 23) from Kyoto. A postcard sent to Maeda at 5-chome was mailed from Bitchū (Okayama) on September 1, 1887 (Meiji 20), but the content of the message and the sender's name are unreadable. Another postcard addressed to 7-chome has an unknown sender and was postmarked on July 9, 1891 (Meiji 24) from Kyoto.

最後に、正しく宛名が書かれた年賀状が、1889年（明治22年）1月1日に大阪の田川義照から神戸の下山手通6丁目に送られました。彼は梶つね（大阪の梶勘兵衛の長女）と結婚し、二人の息子がいました。田川謙吉は獣医隊の陸軍少将であり、田川正二郎は土木技師で大阪港湾部長を務めました。

わたしたちにはこのはがきのように全がきれいな楷書で書いてあれば、これらの歴史的な文書をすべて読むことができますが…前田吉彦の芸術家、教育者としての側面や、彼の友人や知人について多くのことを明らかにする可能性があることは間違いありません。

Finally, a correctly addressed New Year's card was sent from Tagawa Yoshiteru in Osaka to Shimo-yamate-dori 6-chome, Kobe, on January 1, 1889 (Meiji 22). He was married to Kaji Tsune (the eldest daughter of Kaji Kanbee in Osaka) and had two sons. Tagawa Kenkichi was a major general in the veterinary corps, while Tagawa Shojiro was a civil engineer and served as the Director of the Port Department of Osaka.

If only these historical documents were written in beautiful regular script like this postcard, we could read all of them. However, it is certain that these materials could reveal much about Maeda Yoshihiko's aspects as an artist and educator, as well as provide insights into his friends and acquaintances.

船井長次郎の正体を探る

この葉書は珍しいものです。なぜなら、前田吉彦の住所が通常の神戸下山手通六丁目ではなく、神戸元町５丁目３５番地と記載されているからです。さらに、受取人として船井長次郎さんの名前も見受けられます。消印には備中総社から発送されたことが示されています。いつものように、メッセージを読むことはできませんでした。船井長次郎についても、オンラインでは何も見つかりませんでした。この住所には何があったのか気になります。住宅だったのか、学校だったのか、それとも商業施設だったのでしょうか？

This postcard is unusual because it was sent to Maeda Yoshihiko at Kobe Motomachi 5-chome 35 instead of his usual address at Kobe Shimo-Yamate-dori 6-chome. Additionally, the name Funai Chojiro appears as a dual recipient. The postmark indicates that it was sent from Bitchu Soja. We were unable to read the message and could not find any information about Funai Chojiro online. I am curious about what was located at this address. Was it a residence, a school, or a commercial facility?

明治学院の上原季五郎から前田吉彦への不気味なアート

 

The originating postmark shows May 17, 1890 (Meiji 23), Shibaguchi, Tokyo, with the postcard reaching its destination in Kobe the following day. It was sent by Uehara Kigoro of Shirokane, Tokyo. Uehara was a student at Meiji Gakuin. Meiji Gakuin University began as Dr. Hepburn's English school, "Hepburn Juku," founded in 1863. Tsukiji Dai Gakko [Tsukiji College] was renamed ‘Meiji Gakuin’ in 1886 and, in 1887, the Tokyo government approved a move of its campus from Tsukiji to its present location at Skirokane, Tokyo.

1888年 芸術学生中島武次郎から師匠 前田吉彦宛の年賀状

この作品は、1888年（ねずみ年）に東京の中島武次郎が神戸の前田吉彦に送った年賀状です。中島は力強く上昇する鳳凰と可愛らしいねずみの後ろ姿をインクで描いてます。中島が前田先生机下」と呼んでいることから、かつて中島は前田吉彦の芸術学生だったと考えられます。

This New Year's card was sent by Nakajima Takejiro in Tokyo to Maeda Yoshihiko in Kobe in 1888 (the Year of the Rat). Nakajima inked a powerful, ascending phoenix and a cute, rear view of a rat. Since Nakajima addresses Maeda as "sensei" and "under your desk," it is believed that Nakajima was once an art student of Maeda.

This Nakajima Takejiro may have been the one who transcribed "Akayama Kōwa" (赤山講話 [バックストン講述]; 中島武次郎筆記) in 1896 for Barclay Fowell Buxton, a British missionary.