Record

LevelSub-sub-sub-fonds
Finding Number (Click this to view full catalogue structure)CMS/B/OMS/J
TitleJapan Mission
Extent12 letter-books, 351 docs. (including journals) and 21 boxes of original papers, 7 precis books
Date1868-1934
DescriptionPre- and post-1880 papers of the Japan mission.
Access StatusOpen
Physical DescriptionThe pre-1880 papers have been given archive reference numbers as listed, and these are marked in pencil on the back of each item [e.g. C J/0 4/2]. The post-1880 papers are each individually marked in red ink. This number, plus the year, constitutes the reference for each item [e.g. G1 J/1897/102]. G1 J is missing hundreds of numbers [consult in-house finding aid for details].
Administrative HistoryThe Church Missionary Society began work in Japan in 1869 at Nagasaki. Until March 1874 it was administered as part of the China mission. By 1898 there were four secretaryships, the country being divided into areas comprising South Tokyo, Kyushu, Hokkaido and Osaka. By 1906 these had settled into three missions: Central Japan, Kyushu and Hokkaido. Unlike the normal procedure, however, the Japan mission archives continued as one series for the whole of the country. The main mission stations were, for Central Japan: Osaka (1873), Tokyo (1874), Tokushima, Fukuoka and Matsuye (all 1888) and Hiroshima (1892); for Kyshu: Nagasaki (1869); for Hokkaido: Hakodate (1874), Sapporo (1892) and Otaru (1897).
Custodial HistoryPapers catalogued by Rosemary A. Keen, 1967. Hard copy handlist revised and expanded: Rosemary Keen 1982. Deposited in the Library of the University of Birmingham 1981.
CopiesAvailable on microfilm and online.

Microfilm: Church Missionary Society Archive: Section I: East Asia Missions, Parts 1-3.
Publisher: Marlborough: Adam Matthew Publications, 1997.
Location in the Cadbury Research Library: microfilm drawers B6, C1 and C2.

Digital publication: Church Missionary Society Archive: East Asia Missions: Japan Mission
Publisher: Adam Matthew Digital.
Access: by institutional subscription: free to members of the University of Birmingham and visitors to the Cadbury Research Library and other subscribing institutions.
Related MaterialThere is also material relating to work in Japan within the China mission correspondence: see CMS/B/OMS/C CH I 1 (1852-83) [outgoing], CMS/B/OMS/G1 CH I 2 (1883-88) [outgoing], CMS/B/OMS/C CH L 2 (1863-76) [outgoing] [up to 1874], CMS/B/OMS/C CH M 4-9 (1868-80) [incoming] with a separate section for Japan 1875-1880.

    Showcase

    Some of our most significant collections