The Albatross and the Territorial Expansion of the Japanese Empire

Abstract

This chapter focuses on revealing the connection between Japanese territorial expansion and the bird trapping business of the Meiji era. After the abolition of their country’s policy of isolationism, many Japanese ventured to remote islands in the Pacific. Evidence shows, unexpectedly, that it was the albatross that drove advancement of the Japanese in the Pacific. These birds, inhabiting deserted islands, were not afraid of humans, making the albatross an easy prey. Their plumage was of high quality, fetching attractive prices. Han-emon Tamaoki, a carpenter from Hachijo Island, Tokyo Prefecture, and aware of the value of the birds, launched a bird trapping business on Torishima (Bird Island). He quickly profited, becoming a leading figure in the business world. Others, inspired by his success, advanced into the Pacific successively, leading to a boom in the exploration of the deserted islands. One consequence of this was that a number of these islands were claimed as Japanese territory, with the advancement into the Pacific resulting in the expansion of the Japanese Empire.