Foreigner's Statues in Tokyo

Statues tell us of someone's great achievement, and show our deep appreciation for him/her. I think looking into famous foreign people in Tokyo will be interesting. You know, it can show some history and relationships of Japan to other countries.

Did you know that for two centuries until 1854, Japanese ports were closed to all but a few Dutch and Chinese traders? It meant we almost closed our country, and it was only 150 years ago that Japan started to communicate with the world. I suppose it is not so easy to find statues commemorating Japanese in other countries. Well, maybe I can find the status of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi somewhere. He was a bacteriologist who worked on the cure for yellow fever in the early 1900's. He died in Africa because of yellow fever while working on his research.
Okay, then! How about foreigners' statues in this modern Tokyo?
Here are two great sites. Chokokoku Tengoku, and Dozou Gallary. Thank you!!

Statues of Foreigners in Tokyo.
There might be statues I don't know, of course. These are the results of my research!

The United States of America. 5 statues
Matthew Calbraith Perry(1794-1858) -----Minato Ward/ Shiba Park
Commodore Perry negotiated tirelessly for several months with Japanese officials to achieve
the goal of opening the doors of trade with Japan. Because of his visit, Japan opened the country after about two centuries of isolation.
Edward Sylvester Morse(1838-1925)-----Shinagawa Ward/ Omori Shell Mound Garden
He excavated in Omori Shell Mound. which was the first modern systematic archaeological
exploration in Japan. He published a few books about Japan, I like his "Japan Day by Day"(1970)
Dr.James Curtis Hepburn(1815-1911) -----Minato Ward /Miji Gakuin Univ.
His work included the translation of the Bible into Japanese, the compilation of
the Japanese-English dictionary and dissemination of Western medical science.
Douglas A. MacArthur (1880-1964) -----Hachioji City/ Unryu Temple
General Douglas MacArthur was the Supreme Commander of Occupied Japan.
United Kingdom of England 3 statues
Edward Jenner (1749 - 1823) -----Taito Ward/ Ueno National Museum
He dedicated himself to the discovery of vaccinations, and was the pioneer of anti-smallpox treatment, which eventually led to global eradication of the disease.
Josiah Conder(1789-1855) -----Bunkyo Ward/ Tokyo Univ.
A British architect, urban planner, and teacher who had come to Japan in 1877 to serve as a professor of architecture. His representetive architect in Japan is ROKUMEIKAN.
John Wesley (1703-1791) -----Shibuya Ward /Aoyama Gakuin Univ. (This is my college!)
He was a renowned preacher and spiritual leader of the 'Methodist revival.'

Germany 3 statues
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) -----Taito Ward/ Tokyo Art Univ / Shinagawa Ward/ Nihon Ongaku Gakko
I don't need to explain about him, yes, he is a symbol of "music" here in Japan, too. There are two of his statues in Tokyo.
Siebold (1796-1866) -----Chuo Ward /Akatsuki Park
Siebold introduced Western medicine to Japan and contributed enormously to the modernization of the country. He was in fact one of the first Europeans to study Japan in depth and to promote knowledge about the country overseas.

Greek 2 statues
Hippocrates(BC 450?) -----Bunkyo Ward/ Tokyo Univ.
Hippocrates, the father of medicine. "I swear by Apollo the physician, by Aesculapius, Hygeia and Panacea, and... " This is the famous "Hippocratic Oath"
Prometheus (BC ) -----Minato Ward/ Nippon Oil Corporation
One of the gods of Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to people.

France 2 statues
Honore de Balzac(1799-1850) -----Taito Ward/ Tokyo Art Univ.
He is said to be the greatest of French novelists.
Josep Flaujac(1886-1959) -----Nakano Ward/ Jiseikai Hospital

Sri Lanka
Junius Richard Jayewardene -----Hachioji City/ Unryu Temple
The first prime minister of Sri Lanka.

Austria
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart(1756-1791) -----Katushika Ward /Symphonies Hills

Holland
Baudouin(1822-1885) -----Taito Ward　Ueno Oncho Park
He suggested the making of Ueno Oncho Park to the Japanese government

China
Confucius (BC 551?) -----Musashino City/ Inokashira Park
The eminent Chinese philosopher.

Phillipines
Jose I Rizal (1861-1896) -----Chiyoada Ward/Hibiya Park
The Philippines' most beloved poet and nationalist.

South America
Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) -----Shinagawa Ward/Columbia embassy
The great liberator who made South America independent.

Taiwan
Chiang Kai-shek (1887- 1975) -----Hachioji

Outside of Tokyo, I suppose St. Francis Xavier(1506-1552, Spain) has some statues in Japan. In 1549, He introduced Christianity into Japan and set up the first Christian mission in the country. His statue is in Nagasaki.
Well, for the people of other countries, some of them will be not so popular. That is the interesting part of this.
Ah if you have some Japanese statues in your country, please let me know.

Comments

[Ella]

fZl5FU Wish I could come up with posts that cool.