Probable first Japanese visitor to Algeria
Akira Urabe
Former President, Japan-Algeria Association
Former Ambassador of Japan to Algeria“In spite of its enormous archeological interest, the ruins of Thamugadi,
often referred to as ‘African Pompeii ‘ is little-known even in Europe, muchless in my country. In fact, it is located in a remote place in North Africa
and there will be no opportunity of visiting them except for few travelers offancy taste who make a special detour on the way. During my journey toNorth Africa several years ago, I visited the ruins. Since the ruins drew myprofound interest, now I introduce them to the world….”“Every inch of their streets is a result of pavement work. There exists anorderly separation between the sidewalk and the carriage way. The street
blocks are ordered in square configuration, similar to the town of Kyoto….
The perfection of the construction of water supply and sewage system strikes
us with admiration…”
Thus I translate into English, some passages of the manuscript, written
in superb classical Japanese, of the lectures given by Dr. Kengo Murakawa
in November 1910 . Dr. Murakawa, professor emeritus of Tokyo Imperial
University is known as a founder of modern methodology of history in mycountry who focuses on archiving, researching and analyzing historicalprimary sources. Ordered by the Meiji Government he stayed as a young
visiting scholar from 1902 to 1904 in Germany, Italy and France for his
research in ancient European history. During his stay in Europe, he visited
Thamugadi (ancient name of Timgad) and gave above lectures which werepublished in a history journal in 1912.
His description of the streets, water system, triumphal arches and six
public baths with scrupulous attention to detail demonstrates hisenthusiasm as a great scholar. The manuscript not only has important
academic value but also the narration conveys vividly between the lines,
emotions of a Japanese historian who stood, in the beginning of the lastcentury, after long difficult travel, in front of the Roman ruins of Timgad.
Separated by huge time and distance from his home country, when hereflected upon the image of Roman-Berber town which was prosperous over
two thousand years ago, innumerable emotions no doubt would have welled
up inside his mind.Before anything else I was overwhelmed by his energy, passion and spirit
to pursue his profession. Remaining whole life as a specialist of ancient
European history, he was also active in publicizing his observations on therelations between the World Powers after the first World War and hisanalysis of the domestic situations of the countries and regions he hadvisited.
I could not have discovered the story of this probably first Japanesevisitor to Algeria, had I not attended the conference titled “Algeria in AncientTimes” by Professor Yutaka Oshimizu and held by the Japan-Algeria
Association, in December 2013.
Until the recent prevalence of theCOVID19, the Association was continuing to hold evening gatherings withlectures on diverse subjects related to Algeria followed by friendly
discussions over a glass of refreshment. The lectures allowed me to learn
numerous aspects of Algeria which I hadn’t known during my service inAlgiers. At this moment the coronavirus doesn’t allow the Association to holdgatherings and meetings like before.
Amidst of the difficult situations
caused by the pandemic , former Ambassador of Japan to Algeria Kazuya
OGAWA accepted to preside over the Association in June last year and healready took the initiative in organizing lectures on line . The new
Ambassador of Algeria to Japan H.E. Larbi KATTI assumed the post lastDecember. I sincerely hope things return to normal quickly and theAssociation further develops its activities with the energy of a new team.
As a token of my support for the Association, I contribute this small article.
Tokyo , 16 March 2022