Lost to time, the Site of Lighthouse whispers tales of Tokyo’s maritime past. This place echoes with stories of international trade and technological advancement. It all began after Japan signed the Treaty of Edo. This opened Japan to the outside world. Modernization was now possible.
The Site of Lighthouse connects to the story of Japan’s first modern lighthouses. They emerged following the 1866 Tariff Convention. Japan agreed to provide navigational aids for foreign trade ports. This commitment led to building lighthouses. They would secure the approaches to these ports.
Initially, the Tokugawa Shogunate was in charge. They put Matsudaira Yasuhide in charge of lighthouse affairs. He also served as magistrate of foreign affairs and Kanagawa Province. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, things changed. Jurisdiction shifted to the Foreign Office. The Yokohama Court oversaw the lighthouses. Later, it became the Kanagawa Prefecture Court.
In 1868, the Lighthouses Subsection was created within the Kanagawa Prefecture Court. They selected locations for lighthouses. They handled construction. The responsibility shifted multiple times in the following years. It went to the Accounts Office, then back to the Foreign Office. It was then renamed the Lighthouse Office. The offices remained in Yokohama’s Benten neighborhood.
Later, the Lighthouse Office went to the Ministry of Finance. It was renamed the Lighthouse Bureau. Then it went to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. In 1870, it moved to the new Ministry of Industry. Sano Tsunetami became the Lighthouses Chief in 1871. From then on, the lighthouse administration moved away from Kanagawa Prefecture. It completely came under the Ministry of Industry.
French engineers initially constructed the first lighthouses. Later, British engineers took over. Scottish engineer Richard Henry Brunton played the lead role. He oversaw building lighthouses in 30 locations. He trained people in lighthouse construction.
Shinagawa Lighthouse was among the early lighthouses. French engineer Léonce Verny built it. It was first lit on March 5, 1870. The lighthouse was later moved to Meiji Mura historical theme park near Nagoya. Today, little remains on this site. We can still imagine its original purpose.
The lighthouses facilitated interactions with regional neighbors. As Japan expanded its influence in East Asia, they served colonial management. The lighthouses built roads on the seas. They nurtured interactions and exchange.
Today, reflecting on the Site of Lighthouse, consider its legacy. It highlights Japan’s transformation and its connections to the world. These beacons of light helped Japan navigate a new era. The Site of Lighthouse stands as a reminder. It represents the country’s maritime history.