Who was entrusted with the development of the “Eastern Lands of the Ainu” in 1799 (According to the Diary Entries of Matsuda Denjuro)

Abstract

In 1799, the military government Bakufu 幕府 transferred the Lands of the Ainu Ezochi 蝦夷地, which had previously been subordinate to the Matsumae Family 松前藩, under its direct control. These territories were divided into the Eastern Lands of the Ainu Higashi Ezochi 東蝦夷地 and the Western Lands of the Ainu Nishi Ezochi 西蝦夷地. The Japanese also included the southern islands of the Kuril ridge, Kunashir and Iturup, in the Eastern Lands; the border between the lands ran along the island of Hokkaido. It is known that by this time Japanese administration had been created only in the southern part of this island. It was extremely important for the bakufu to establish full control over these territories, as well as to prevent the penetration of Russian researchers and traders into the lands of the Ainu. Proxies of the military government were sent there to carry out this task. The diary entries of Matsuda Denju:ro:’s Tales of the Northern Barbarians provide a list of the leaders of the first sea crossing in Japanese history from Edo to Akkeshi in Hokkaido. An analysis of the titles and ranks of the listed leaders allows us to see the seriousness of the military government’s approach to preparing the expedition. This article is devoted to the translation and analysis of the list given in the Tales.