Archives: Exhibition “From the History of Russian-Japanese relations between 18th and 19th cc” underway in St. Petersburg

Reproductions of rare documents, possessed by the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo, have been for the first time presented to Russian community at the exhibition of archival materials “From the History of Russian-Japanese relations between 18th and 19th cc.” which kicked off on September 20, 2011 in St. Petersburg. The exhibition is staged at the Russian State Historical Archive as a part of the annually held festival “Japanese Fall in St. Petersburg” and is timed to 40th anniversary of Consulate-General of Japan foundation in the city on Neva River.

The exposition includes over 60 graphic sheets and 32 copies of archival documents donated to the Russian State Historical Archive as a sign of friendship and cooperation. All exhibits have been placed into subject-based sections: history of Russian-Japanese relations, first contacts of Japanese with Russians, Russians through the eyes of Japanese and Russian-Japanese relations at the initial stage. A special stand is dedicated to the archbishop, an outstanding Russian missionary and founder of the Orthodox church in Japan Nicholas of Japan (born Ivan Kasatkin). For this exhibition St. Petersburg Theological Academy has offered a number of valuable materials casting light on his life and work. The State Historical Archive has issued a five-volume “Diaries of Saint Nicholas of Japan”.

Deputy Director of the Historiographical Institute, Professor Toru Hoya stressed that his institute is the only one and the largest research center that has been studying the history of the country. For more than one hundred years the institute has been collecting historical documents, compiling and publishing collected articles. Lately its interest moved to Russian documents focused on the history of Japan. In collaboration with the Historical Archive and the Naval Archives of Russia the institute has been preparing the list of these rarities.

History of Russian-Japanese relations has made the theme of the historiographical conference that was held at the Historical Archive and brought together the delegation from Japan.