前田農夫 (Maeda Atsuo) Relative of Maeda Yoshihiko (前田吉彦)

We have an intriguing set of three postcards here, all postmarked in Osaka in 1886, dated January 8, January 19, and July 31. The sender lists his return address as 大坂府土佐堀通り (Tosabori-Douri, Osaka).

The first postcard (see photo 1 above) provides our initial clue. The sender writes his name as 召の茄太郎, using the hiragana "の" (no) in place of the second character of his name. Based on this, we initially read the name as "Shouno Katarou."

The second postcard (see photo 2 above) offers a more standard version of his name: 召野茄太郎, where "野" replaces the hiragana "の." However, this card also includes a red ink stamp beneath his name. Unfortunately, the stamp is partially obscured by overlapping ink, making the characters difficult to decipher (see photo 3 below).

The third postcard (see photo 4 below) adds a surprising twist. Here, the sender writes his name as 間野茄太郎 (Mano Katarou). This variation sheds light on the mystery of the red stamp—the first character might indeed be "間" (ma). It also suggests that "召," used on the first card, could have been a simplified or shorthand version of "間." 

These variations create a fascinating puzzle, one that offers us glimpses into how names were written and adapted at the time. While some questions remain unanswered, they provide an engaging challenge, allowing us to piece together fragments of history in the process.

The card dated July 31 (see photo 2) is addressed to three individuals: Maeda Yoshihiko (前田吉彦), Maeda Atsuo (前田農夫), and Udagawa Kingo (宇田川謹吾). In our post from November 16, 2024, we showcased another card with Udagawa Kingo (宇田川謹吾) as the recipient. While his identity remains unknown, the fact that he stayed at the Maeda residence on another occasion suggests he was likely someone close to the family.

Now we arrive at the intriguing question: who was Maeda Atsuo? Could he have been a relative of Maeda Yoshihiko? While Maeda is a common surname, the presence of another Maeda in the same household may not simply be a coincidence.

In the 大蔵省職員録 (Ministry of Finance Staff Directory, March 1877), Maeda Atsuo is listed as 士族岡山縣前田農夫 (Samurai from Okayama Prefecture). This detail is significant, as Maeda Yoshihiko was also from Okayama and of samurai heritage. These shared origins strongly suggest a familial connection between the two.

Furthermore, there is evidence linking Atsuo to the city of Kobe, where Yoshihiko taught art classes. Maeda Atsuo is mentioned in the 神戸権勢史 (History of Kobe's Influential Figures), further tying him to the same circles and locations as Yoshihiko. This overlapping context of geography, class, and activity strengthens the likelihood that their relationship was more than coincidental.