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Paper short abstract:

A significant number of documents related to the Ainu lands were found recently in Russian archives, both in Japanese and Russian languages. This presentation summarizes some evidences concerning Matsumae officials' view of early modern Japan's realm, its northern borders and foreign relations.

Paper long abstract:

A significant number of 18th century documents related to the Ainu lands were found recently in Russian archives, both in Japanese and Russian languages.

The first group of documents originates from Matsumae, which makes them unique since only a limited number of such sources are preserved in Japan. They include the earliest known original handwritten document issued by Matsumae officials to an Ainu chief in 1778, a notice of receipt of Russian gifts to Matsumae lord, name cards of Matsumae officials, and some others. The contents of these documents, titles of official posts, and even dates provide a new knowledge concerning the administrative history of Matsumae house and its view of early modern Japan's realm, its northern borders and foreign relations.

Another group contains numerous lists of personal Ainu names who inhabited northeastern Hokkaido and southern Kuril islands in late 18th century compiled by Russian pioneers. These lists provide inestimable data for both demographic history and linguistics of this distant region.

The third group is early modern Japanese printed books and manuscripts that spread from northern Japan directly to Russia, a route that differs from better-known one via Nagasaki and Europe.

This presentation will summarize a new knowledge coming from all these types of Japanese and Russian documents for better understanding of how early modern Japanese state acted on local level when faced with international problems.