Yamada Torajirō and Japanese Influence in Istanbul

Abstract

During their history the Ottoman Empire and Japan had almost no mutual contact and were hardly aware of each other. This situation changed at the end of the 19th century, when the Ottomans were interested in Japanese modernization according to the western model in order to apply the Japanese model on their own crumbling empire. On the other hand, some Japanese viewed the Ottoman Empire as an exotic oriental country and were eager to discover its history and culture. On this basis the relations between both countries were established. One of the most important proponents of Ottoman-Japanese relations was Yamada Torajirō, who came to Istanbul in 1892. He was to stay there for next 22 years. Although he wasn’t able to secure any radical political or economic interests for Japan in Istanbul, his activity brought a period of intensifying contacts between both countries. He also introduced Japanese culture and customs to Istanbul and after his return to Japan he wrote a lot of books about Turkey, in which he promoted the idea of Japanese-Turkish friendship. His work is therefore considered to be the fundamental basis of the good relations of Japan and Turkey up to the present time.