Japanese Document and Map Links

Japanese Documents

Edo Era(江戸時代) (1600-1867)

• 1618 - Permission Given to the Oya and Murakawa Families(幕府の「渡航許可書」) translation
• 1661 - A letter from Shozaemon Kameyama to Kyuemon Oya(亀山庄左衛門から大屋九右衛門への書簡)
  There is a part relating about Takeshima Matsushima (竹嶋松嶋), and the last part included the word Two islands (両嶋).
• 1696 - Ordinance Prohibiting Voyages to Takeshima (幕府の「渡航禁制令」) translation
  ordinance to prohibit voyages to Takeshima (Ulleungdo) after the dispute with Korea in 1696. Please note that it didn't include Liancourt rocks (Matsushima in those days).
• 1667 - Onshu Shicho Goki（隠州視聴合記） by Hosen Saito（斉藤豊仙）
  States that Ulleungdo is Japan's easternmost boundary
• 1724 - Takeshima Zusetsu(「竹島図説」)
  States Oki's Matsushima , which means Matsushima was within the territory of Oki.
• 1840-1860 c. - Bunpodo Zassan (Divers Documents Compiled by Bunpodo : 「文鳳堂雑纂」) by Bunpodo(文鳳堂) a.k.a Yamashiro Chubei( 山城屋忠兵衛)
  States Oki's Matsushima , which means Matsushima was within the territory of Oki.
• 1842 - Special Chronicle of Inaba County( 因府歴年大雑集) by Okajima Masayoshi (岡島正義)
  Okajima Masayoshi Wrote of Ahn Yong-bok's Flag and Claims

Meiji Era(明治時代)(1868-1912)

• 1870 - "How Takeshima & Matsushima Became Part of Joseon" (「朝鮮国交際始末内探書」より竹島松島朝鮮附属ニ相成候始末) by Sada Hakubo(佐田白茅)
  A description of Ulleungdo from an 1870 Japanese mission report on Korea. It said that Takeshima (Ulleungdo) had a neighboring island called Matsushima (松島), of which they had no previous record. The report was describing Ulleungdo from information they received in Korea, which means that it was the Koreans calling Ulleungdo's neighboring island Songdo (Matsushima), not the Japanese, which means it was not referring to Liancourt Rocks.
• 1876 - Argument for the Development of Matsushima (松島開拓之議) by Mutoh Heigaku (武藤平学)
  A proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) .This document started a debate on the location of Mutoh's Matsushima, which turned out to be Ulleungdo. The reference to Takeshima was probably a reference to the non-existent island of Argonaut island, which was mismapped on Western maps, which Japanese mapmakers copied.
• 1876 - 島根県の報告「渡海禁制のいきさつ」 translation
  Shimane prefecture explains the history of Takeshima
• 1876 - 島根県の報告「（竹島の）由来の概略」 translation
  Shimane prefecture explains the history of Takeshima
• 1877 - The Dajoukan order (太政官指令)
  Argument about "another island": details of the compiled official documents (公文禄) of the Ministry of the Interior.
• 1877 - The Discussion about the necessity for the inspection on Matsushima ( 「松島巡視要否ノ議」) by Tanabe Taichi (田辺太一)
  Tanabe suggsted not to send inspection Ship to Choson.
• 1877/8 - A matter of Matsushima (「松島之儀」) by Watanae Kouki (渡辺洪基)
  Director of the Bureau of Documents, Watanabe stated if the Matsushima being referred to in the petition was Ulleungdo, then it belonged to Joseon (Korea), but if it was not Ulleungdo, then it belonged to Japan.
• 1878 - "A Study of Historical Evidence of Takeshima"(Takeshima Kousho : 「竹島考証」)
• 1886 - Dec. - 寰瀛水路誌 第二巻第二版 韓露沿岸
• 1901 - "History of Joseon Civilization" (朝鮮開化史) by Tsuneya Seihuku(恒屋盛服)
  The eastern limit of Joseon is described as 130 degrees 35 minutes in the Geography section, which excludes Liancourt Rocks.
• 1902 - The compiled reports of trades by trade department, MOFA「外務省通商局編纂 通商彙纂」 translation
• 1903　The Fishery Guide of Sea around Korea 「韓海通漁指針」by Black Dragon Party （黒龍会) translation
  It includeds Liancourt rocks, as "Yanko" island and said that both of Korean and Japanese fishermen called it so. They clearly wrote that Ulleungdo lies at 130°45' N - 53'50" N and 37°34' 40" E - 31'50" E, excluding Liancourt rocks.
• 1903 - "Story of My Old Dreams about Seikanron – Debate on the Conquest of Korea" (征韓論の旧夢談) by Sada Hakubo (佐田白茅)
  It describes details of the 1870 mission to Korea to find out why the Joseon government had refused to receive an official letter from the new Meiji government, who wanted to establish a modern diplomatic relationship with the Joseon, instead of using the feudal clan in Tsushima as a go-between. Hakubo and his colleagues were sent to Joseon to investigate.
• 1904 - "The Chronicle of Japan-Russo War" (日露戦争実記)
  A map included in the chronicle still showed the non-existent of Argonaut and labeled it as Takeshima.
• 1904 - "Latest guide to the Korean Business" (最新韓国実業指針) by Iwanaga Shigeharu (岩永重華)
  The eastern limit of Joseon is described as being at 130 degrees 35 minutes, which excluded Liancourt Rocks.
• 1904 Sep 25 - Entry in the Navigational Log of the Japanese Naval Vessel Niitaka (軍艦新高行動日誌)
  The log records the oral description of Liancourt Rocks by a Japanese man staying on Ulleungdo. Among other things, the man said that Koreans wrote the name of the island as "Dokdo" (獨島), which was the first record of the name "Dokdo" being used to refer to Liancourt Rocks. Another record from the previous year (1903) had said that Korean fishermen at the time were using the Japanese name to refer to the rocks, which suggests that Koreans had just recently learned of the rocks.
• 1904 Sep 29 - "りゃんこ島領土編入並に貸下願" by Yosaburou Nakai（中井養三郎） translation
  Proposal to officially incorporate Takeshima (Liancourt Rocks) by Yosaburou Nakai, a businessman who wanted to monopolize sea lion hunting on the islets
• 1905 Jan 28 - "竹島の島根県編入閣議決定"
  Meiji government decides to officially incorporate Liancourt Rocks as Japan territory
• 1905 Feb 24 - "竹島の島根県への編入を伝える記事" - San-in Shinbun (山陰新聞)"
  San-in Shinbun reports Takeshima was officially incorporated into Shimane Prefecture
• 1905 - "Manchuria, Korea and Russia: New territories for Japanese Development" (日本民族の新發展場萬韓露領地誌) by Okabe Fukuzo (岡部福蔵)
  The eastern limit of Choson is described as 130 degrees 58 minutes, which excludes Liancourt Rocks.
• 1905 - "Official Gazette" (官報) by Japanese Meiji Government
  Takeshima was written as "Liancourt Rocks", but was later corrected to "Takeshima" in the report of the Russo-Japanese War.
• 1905 - "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade, Document Section: Trade Documents No.50" (外務省通商局編纂 通商彙纂 第50号)
  Description of sea lion hunting on Liancourt Rocks by the fishermen on Ulleungdo. Since the document was talking about Japanese residents, unless noted otherwise, it was the “Japanese” residents on Ulleungdo hunted sea lions at Liancourt Rocks while Koreans were used as cheap labor.
• 1905 - "A Pictorial of the Russo-Japanese War" (日露戦争写真画報)
  A post from a reader commemorating Takeshima which had recently become famous for being near the scene of a big naval battle in the Russo-Japanese War.
• 1906 March - "Story of a Man who Achieved Succese: Nakai Yosaburou"（「中井養三郎氏立志伝」） by Okuhara Hekiun(奥原碧雲）
  Audio Recording of Yosaburou Nakai, who told the author that he mistakenly thought Liancourt Rocks (Takeshima/Dokdo) to be Korean territory because he saw a chart called “朝鮮全岸” ("A look at the coast of Joseon). A magazine called “朝鮮水路誌” ("Joseon Waterways," which was published simultaneously with the chart was for navigational purposes.

Taisho Era(大正時代)(1912-1926)

• 1923 - "Shimane Prefecture Journal"(「島根県誌」)
  A brief modern history of Takeshima

Showa Era(昭和時代)(1926-1989)

Heisei Era(平成時代)(1989- )

• 2005 Mar 16 - "竹島問題と「竹島の日を定める条例」について 島根県議会"
  Shimane Prefectural Assembly's Explanation for The Takeshima problem and the prefectural law forthe adoption of "Takeshima Day"
• 2006 - 竹島・独島関係 史・資料目録第1版 島根県立大学北東アジア研究センター　福原裕二
  List of documents related to the history of Takeshima/Dokdo that was compiled by the Shimane University Northeastern Asia Research Center, First Edition

Japanese Maps

Edo Era(江戸時代) (1600-1867)

• 1656 c.a. - Map of Matsushima (松島絵図) by the Murakami Clan(村上家)
  Estimated date of the map is 1656, about the time the clan asked permission from the Shogunate to travel to the islets.
• 1696 - Map of Takeshima & Matsushima（竹嶋松島之図）by Kotani Ihei（小谷伊兵衛)
  Map accurately describes Matsushima (Liancourt Rocks) as being two islands and shows the distances from Oki and Ulleungdo (鬱陵島) .
• 1724 - Map of Takeshima(竹嶋図享保九甲辰閏４月江戸え書上ノ写）
• Date Unknown - Map of Takeshima, Matsushima, & Oki Island（竹島之図）
• Date Unknown - Map of Takeshima, Matsushima, & Oki Island（竹島之図）
• 1775 - Map of Japan, Revised Edition(改正日本輿地路程全圖)
  Matsushima (present Takeshima/Liancourt Rockd) appears at 37°50′N, 131°40′E with Takeshima (aka. Isotakeshima, present Ulleundo) at about 37°80′N, 131°00′E. States that Ulleungdo is Japan's easternmost boundary.
• 1785 - The Eight Provinces of Joseon (朝鮮八道之図) by Hayashi Shihei(林子平）
  Ulleungdo is labelled as both "Ulleungdo" (鬱陵島) and "Usanguk" (于山国)
• 1785 - Map of Three Countries (三国通覧輿地路程図説)　by Hayashi Shihei(林子平)
  Map shows Ulleungdo, labelled as "Takeshima" (鬱陵島). Also, just off the east shore of Ulleungdo is a small island, which was almost certainly Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo.
• 1833 - Map of Japan, New Edition（新刻日本輿地路程全図） by Nagakubo Sekisui（長久保赤水）
• 1843 - Map of Japan, Revised in Tenpo (日本圖 : 天保再鐫改正) by Matsumura Kyuubee et al. (松村九兵衛他)
• 1846 - Map of Japan, Revised Edition (改正日本輿地路程全圖) by Nagakubo Sekisui(長久保赤水)
• 1867 - Rough Map of Sea along the Coast of Great Japan(大日本沿海略図) by Katsu Kaishu(勝海舟)

Meiji Era(明治時代)(1868-1912)

• 1876 - Elementary school maps (小学用地図) by Ministry of Education(文部省)
  Both Takeshima (present Ulleundo) and Matsushima (present Takeshima/Liancourt Rocks) are described.
• 1873 - Japanese Imperial Navy map of Korea (朝鮮全図) by Japanese Waterway Department of the Navy(大日本海軍水路寮)
  The map shows Usando (亐山島 = 于山島) to the west of Ulleungdo (蔚島 = 鬱陵島), which was a mistake since Korean maps at the time were showing Usando as Ulleungdo’s neighboring island of Jukdo (竹島). Japanese copy of a Korean map.
• 1873 - Whole Chosun Map(朝鮮全図) by Waterway Department of Navy(海軍水路部)
• 1874 - Precise Map of Whole Chosun Country(朝鮮国細見全図 ) by Choujiya(丁子屋)
  Japanese map of Joseon Korea called, ”Detailed Map of the Country of Joseon” (朝鮮國細見全図)Japanese copy of a Korean map. It shows Usando (于山島) as a small island to the south of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島).
• 1875 - Map of East Asia(亜細亜東部輿地図) by Army staff bureau(陸軍参謀局)
• 1875 - Whole Chosun map(朝鮮全図) by Army staff bureau(陸軍参謀局)
• 1876 - Map of East Coast of Chosun(朝鮮東海岸図） by Waterway Department of Navy(海軍水路部)
• 1877 - "Original Copy of a Joseon Map" (原版朝鮮全図之写)
  In the early 1870s, Japanese maps were still showing Usando (于山島) to the west of Ulleungdo, but this 1877 map was one of the first to show Usando off Ulleungdo’s east shore, approximately where Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo is today.
• 1879 - "Waterways Journal, No. 16" (水路雑誌第16号) by the Japanese Waterway Department of the Navy (海軍水路局)
  Japanese naval Ship Amagi (天城) investigated the location of as Matsushima (松嶋) and determined it was Ulleungdo.
• 1880 - "Waterways Journal, No. 41" (水路雑誌第41号) by the Japanese Waterway Department of the Navy (海軍水路局)
  Japanese naval ship Amagi (天城) re-investigated Ulleungdo, and said there was an island on the east shore of the island called Jukdo. Ulleungdo was was being called Matsushima (松嶋).
• 1882 - Whole Map of Chosun Country(朝鮮国全図) by Geography Bureau(地理局)
• 1882 - Copperplate Print Whole Map of Chosun Country(銅版朝鮮国全図) by Kimura(木村)
• 1891 - Japan Mainland Kyushu Shikoku with Chosun(日本本州九州及四国附朝鮮) by Navy(海軍)
• 1894 - "Joseon Waterways Journal" (朝鮮水路誌) by the Japanese Waterway Department of the Navy (海軍水路局)
  There is a description of Liancourt Rocks and it is described on the map, but it clearly describes the eastern limit of Joseon is 130 degrees 35 minutes.
• 1894 - 27th Year of Meiji, June, Full Joseon Map(明治二十七年六月朝鮮全図) by Shibata Genzaburo(柴田源三郎) explanation
  It shows Usando (于山島) off the east shore of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島 ) in approximately the same location as present-day Jukdo. The map shows a line running from Uljin, on the Korean mainland, to Ulleungdo with the writing next to it reading, "Two Days from Uljin with a fair wind (自蔚珍得便風二日到).” No line was drawn to Usando, suggesting that it was just a neighboring island of Ulleungdo.
• 1894 - Newly Made Whole Map of Chosun Country(新選朝鮮国全図)
• 1894 - Map of Chosun(朝鮮輿地図) by Shimizu Jotaro(清水常太郎)
• 1894 - Newly Made Geographical Book of Chosun(新撰朝鮮地理誌) by Ohta Saijiro(大田才次郎)
• 1894 - Whole Chosun Map(朝鮮全図) by Tokyo Earth Science Association(東京地学会)
• 1896 - All Coasts of Chosun(朝鮮全岸) by Waterway department of navy(海軍水路部)
• 1898 - Map of East Part of Asia(亜細亜東部輿地図) by Kawai Rikitaro(河合利喜太郎)
• 1903 - Whole Chosun Map(朝鮮全図) by Koto Bunjiro(小藤文次郎)
• 1905 - A Sketch Map of Ulleundo(鬱陵島見取図) by Okuhara Hekiun(奥原碧雲）
• 1908 - "Latest Full Map of Korea" (最近大韓国全図)
  Takeshima (Liancourt Rocks) is not described on the map. The eastern limit of Choson is described as being at 130 degrees 35 minutes, which excluded Liancourt Rocks.
• 1908 - "Full Map of Shimane Prefecture" (島根県全図)
  The non-existent island of "Katurajima(桂島)", which also appeared on Inoh's map, was shown as being northeast of Oki. Takeshima was not shown on the map.
• 1909 - Map of Ulleungdo from the "Korean Marine Product Journal" (「鬱陵島全図」韓国水産誌)
  Present-day Gwaneumdo was labeled as “Sokoto or Sokoutoh” (鼠項島)