Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Famous 毛利 Mōri-Clan to Rokuyōdo Meiji 22 (1889)

Famous 毛利 Mōri-Clan to Rokuyōdo Meiji 22 (1889)Maeda Yoshihiko at 六要堂 (Rokuyōdo)

These two postal cards were postmarked in 摂津大坂島ノ内 (Settsu Osaka Shimanouchi) on January 2, 1889, and February 22, 1889, respectively. Both cards feature a return address of 大坂南区 (Osaka Minami-ku). Interestingly, they are addressed to Maeda Yoshihiko at 六要堂 (Rokuyōdo). We’ve previously discussed the significance of the term “Rokuyōdo” in past posts, so if you’re curious about its meaning and historical context, we encourage you to refer to those earlier entries.

As for the sender, the name 毛利 (Mōri) stands out—a name of considerable historical importance in Japan. It’s worth noting that “Mōri” should not be confused with the similar-sounding “Mori.” The Mōri clan holds a prominent place in Japanese history, particularly during the Sengoku and Edo periods. Unfortunately, the sender’s given name on these cards is illegible, making it difficult to determine which branch of the Mōri clan he belonged to or what his connection might have been to the artist, Maeda Yoshihiko.

Maeda himself hailed from a samurai-class family, albeit one with a relatively low stipend. This adds an intriguing layer to the correspondence, as it hints at a possible relationship—personal, professional, or otherwise—between the sender and Maeda. 


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