Yokochi Ishitārō - Distinguished Educator and Archaeologist 1890

This New Year's greeting card was sent by Yokochi Ishitārō (横地石太郎) to Maeda Yoshihiko. It is postmarked in Kagoshima, Satsuma (薩摩鹿児島), and dated January 4, 1890. Yokochi's return address is listed as Kagoshima Junior High School (鹿児島高等中学造士館).

Yokochi Ishitārō (1860 – 1944) was a Japanese educator and archaeologist. Born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, into a samurai family, he later became a prominent figure in Japan's educational and academic circles. After graduating from the University of Tokyo with a degree in applied chemistry, Yokochi worked as a teacher and principal at various schools across Japan, including in Kobe, Kyoto, and Kagoshima. He was appointed as the principal of several schools in Fukushima and Ehime Prefectures, contributing to educational reforms. Ultimately, he became the head of Yamaguchi Higher Commercial School, where he continued his work until his retirement in 1924.

Although Yokochi’s academic background was in physical chemistry, he had a wide-ranging interest in other fields, particularly archaeology, astronomy, and geology. His contributions to archaeology were especially significant in Ehime Prefecture, where he conducted excavations and published several academic papers. His interest in archaeology extended beyond his professional work; he was deeply involved in the preservation of cultural heritage and conducted research on ancient burial mounds and artifacts, publishing his findings in various academic journals.