遠々洛外
  • 遠々洛外のブログ - Far Beyond the Miyako Blog

A few thoughts regarding Japan-Australia ties and an intermediary role for Japan-China disputes

29/8/2012

 
Oo, things are about to get interesting. On Friday last week, the Yomiuri Shimbun was reporting (J) that according to Defence Minister Morimoto, both Australia and Japan were currently arranging for the next 2+2 meeting between the defence and foreign ministers of both nations, to take place sometime during September following the end of the current Diet session. Given that this is the fourth such meeting since 2007, and one involving a potentially strategically important ally to Australia, you would think it would have garnered a bit more interest from the domestic media in Australia, but so far no dice. It makes one wonder whether people would sit up and take notice if the message came from the US State Department, and mentioned in passing during one of their press conferences (such is the degree of attention paid to anything coming out of Washington in Canberra), but I digress.

Both sides should have plenty to discuss - joint exercises in the northern regions of Australia, RIMPAC, disaster relief efforts, (possible) submarine technology acquisition, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, aid work in Burma and funding for Pacific islands, the question of China and sovereignty, Japanese investment in resource and energy projects (i.e, the Ichthys project),  education and the "Asian Century", progress in EPA negotiations (probably best not to dwell on this one too long), the TPP, not forgetting to mention joint work in the EAS and at APEC. In short, there shouldn't be too many pauses between subjects, so long as the dialogue remains focused on the interests of both sides and doesn't become bogged down in unilateral demands (which is unlikely to happen, given what both sides have to gain through cooperation). The fact that Japan is fielding two competent, well-respected ministers will be appreciated by Australia. Nothing derails bilateral dialogue further than having to wonder whether one's counterpart will still be in his position a month from now. 

Both sides may in fact take up the idea suggested by Dr Brendan Taylor of the ANU earlier this week (E), recommending that Australia act as an intermediary in getting China and Japan to return to the negotiating table on questions of sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, given the relatively good standing of Australia in Beijing and Tokyo and the stakes involved for Australia if both sides clash over the issue. In much the same manner as the South China Sea dispute,  the reaction of the Australian government will probably be to suggest that both sides negotiate to resolve things peacefully and in accordance to international law. It might even offer to hold a discussion between both countries on neutral territory in Australia, but quite frankly, the chances of both sides agreeing to such a proposal are slim to none.  Australia does not have the leverage of say, the US, the UK, France, or Germany, not forgetting to mention Brazil, given the degree of dependency of Australia on both the Chinese and Japanese export markets. Just the threat of either side halting investment in Australia as a result of perceived favouritism would cause the ASX to halt trading lest selling on the dollar occur on too great and rapid a scale. 

To act as an intermediary would be a noble role, but the risks outweigh any benefits, and issues of sovereignty are an international law minefield that any third party nation would be well advised to avoid lest it get dragged into the
dispute against its will.  It may be a frustrating process to watch from the sidelines, but if the main protagonists are not inclined to reach an agreement (and domestic pressure prevents them from doing so), then very little will be achieved by intervening.  Granted, it is a pessimistic view of bilateral relations, but given the history of attempts to forge peace between two mutually acrimonious states (and they are acrimonious, given the results of recent polls on popular perceptions of the other conducted in China and Japan (J),  it will take a state with much greater levels of influence over both sides in the East China Sea, and one with the requisite resources to back up its promises, to get both sides talking again.   
Paul Budden
31/8/2012 12:27:55 am

Greg hello, I found your article on Gensui Matusi very interesting as I have been researching a descendant of the clan who were in England as part of the Matsui Troupe around the 1860's. I'm also very interested in Tannaker Buhicrosan, but our research in Japan (my wife is Japanese) seems to reveal nothing so far.
So without wishing to be rude I was wondering if you might have something to offer. Many thanks & Krgds, Paul Budden

Greg Pampling
31/8/2012 01:14:02 pm

Paul,

Thank you for your comment. I must admit that the Edo period is not my area of expertise, so I`ve had to go to my first port of call when seeking answers on historical figures - the Kokugo Daijiten (国語大辞典). According to the entry for Matsui Gensui, they were renowned artists and perfumers, seventeen generations of which carried on their traditions until the Showa period. They would perform their act beside the main thoroughfares, enticing travelers with promises to fix their teeth, along with selling both substances and implements for cleaning teeth. The founder of the troupe was known as Gencho, who was originally from Etchu province (modern Toyama prefecture), and who manufactured a Chinese herbal medicine known as Hangontan (反魂丹), a by-product of the bile duct of bears and used to heal wounds. At some point during the Enho-Tenwa period (1673-84), the fourth generation head of the family moved to Edo. Thereafter generations of Matsui performers sold medicine while doing tricks, sword displays, and musical performances. The regulation of medical practices and medical standards pretty much spelled the end of the Matsui tradition, and it eventually died out.

I`m not too sure who the second individual may be - are you referring to Tanaka Fujiro?If you can give me an idea of the time frame you are looking at, I`ll see if I can dig up something about the person you are seeking.

Paul
24/9/2012 02:42:40 am

Greg many thanks for the information and apologies for the delay in replying but I have been away on business.

Tannaker Buhicrosan is referred to in Japanese as ' Buichikuro' and according to my wife it is written in Kanji this way as one word. But with no real meaning.

He was the person responsible in London for the Japanese Village 1885 -1887 and touring Europe & Australia with his 'Japanese Juggling troupe' in the 1860's He was apparently born in Nagasaki in 1836 to a Dutch father & Japanese mother whom we believe was called Tanka (he died Lewisham England 1894) It is thought that entertainers from the Village helped Gilbert & Sullivan in coaching the performers for the 'Mikado' and had patronage from Sir Rutherford Alcock.

His wife was Japanese and used the name Otakesan which we believe was Take (born Ohilosan) She died in 1914 and is also buried in England.

There is quite a lot written on the Japanese Village in Knightsbridge but Tannaker Buhicrosan proves to be an enigma, so we are hoping that there may be more about him in Japan.

We've also tried to find his father's records (around 1825 -1830's) as a Doctor in either Deshima or Nagasaki his name may have been Dr Wallim Nevell Or Billingham Nevell and he could have been Dutch,German or even English. There is even one theory that he was an English Lord, but no so such evidence appears.

There may be records in Nagasaki but according to my wife to obtain these is quite difficult. I am also in contact with his Grandaughter and we know that he was apparently married in Nagasaki in 1868 this information appears on his English marriage licence with both parents names, his wife's Father 'Haggrosan' a Farmer and his the Doctor Wallim Nevell Buhicrosan (Why also the Buhicrosan again we dont know?)

What we cant figure out is.. was he for real in what he says his origins were or was he just a very clued up guy who cashed in on the Victorian craze for all things Japanese.

Either way he does deserve a lot of recognition for introducing and promoting Japanese culture and entertainment into the West including Europe and Australia and especially England.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks & kind rgds, Paul


Comments are closed.

    Author

    This is a blog maintained by Greg Pampling in order to complement his webpage, Pre-Modern Japanese Resources.  All posts are attributable to Mr Pampling alone, and reflect his personal opinion on various aspects of Japanese history and politics (among other things).

    弊ブログをご覧になって頂きまして誠に有難うございます。グレッグ・パンプリングと申します。このブログに記載されている記事は全て我の個人的な意見であり、日本の歴史、又は政治状態、色々な話題について触れています。

    Categories

    All
    Disasters 災害
    Edo Period 江戸時代
    Japan Australia Relations 日豪関係
    Japanese Politics 日本の政治
    Japan Korea Relations 日韓関係
    Kamakura Period 鎌倉時代
    Meiji Period 明治時代
    Miscellaneous 雑学
    Muromachi Period 室町時代
    Regional Politics 地域の政治
    Regional Politics 地域の政治
    Second World War 太平洋戦争
    Sengoku Period 戦国時代

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    August 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

    RSS Feed

© 2023 www.farbeyondthemiyako.com. All Rights Reserved.