On the Background and the Process of ‘Japan Fisheries’ Compilation
The aim of this study is to overview what changes happened on the maritime field during the early Meiji period, how the compilation of ‘Japan Fisheries’ linked to the changes, and when the ‘Japan Fisheries’ was launched, completed and published. The trilogy of Japan Fishing Method, Japan Fishery Products, and Japan’s Useful Marine Products are called “Japan’s Fishery.” These were completed in 1895 for almost ten years since the compilation project was launched in 1886 at the Agricultural and Commercial Ministry. Japan Fishing Method selected, improved and recorded excellent fishing and fishing methods in various Japanese regions at that time whereas Japan Fisheries Products chose excellent fish products from various methods of manufacturing and recorded the enactment and sale of fishery products. Japan’s Useful Marine Products is not currently passed on, so it is not known what kind of useful marine products are recorded. However, it can be assumed that the classification method of the “Japanese Fishing Classification Table” published in 1889 was based on the Japan Fishing Index. The cited texts in Japan Fisheries Products are up to 55 documents, including Engisiki and Wakansanzaizukai’s “Report of the Great Japan Fishery Association,” “Ariticle of the Fisheries Fair,” “The Western Fishery Manufacturing Technique” and “Trade Situation with China.” Completed with extensive research from old books to the latest fishery information, “Japan’s Fishery” is Japan’s best “Marine Products Encyclopedia” at the time. It is also a valuable literature that can trace fishing and fishing techniques and methods of manufacturing marine products in each Japanese fishing village before the end of the nineteenth century.