The Exploration of the Bonin Archipelago (Ogasawara Islands) by Japan in 1675

Abstract

The remote Bonin Archipelago in the Western Pacific was first surveyed in 1675 by a skilled captain and master shipwright named Shimaya Ichizaemon during Japan’s so-called period of national seclusion (sakoku). For weeks, Shimaya and his crew explored the islands and collected exotic wildlife to show their countrymen back home. The expedition was a success by any measure. It remains one of the most significant events in the history of Japanese exploration, albeit one of the least well known, and a noteworthy maritime accomplishment. This article examines Shimaya’s 1675 overseas voyage of discovery, which challenges commonly held notions about Japanese political will and technical ability during the Edo period (1603–1867). It is also a retelling of a largely misunderstood event in Bonin history.