Oman and Japan Unknown Cultural Exchange between the two countries Haruo Endo Oman and Japan and Endo Oman Haruo Haruo Endo This book is basically a translation of the Japanese edition of “Oman Kenbunroku; Unknown cultural exchange between the two countries” Publisher: Haruo Endo Cover design: Mr Toshikazu Tamiya, D2 Design House © Prof. Haruo Endo/Muscat Printing Press, Muscat, Oman 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the written permission of the copyright owners. Oman and Japan Unknown Cultural Exchange between the two countries Haruo Endo Haruo Endo (b.1933), Oman Expert, author of “Oman Today” , “The Arabian Peninsula” , “Records of Oman” and Japanese translator of “A Reformer on the Throne- Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said”. Awarded the Order of HM Sultan Qaboos for Culture, Science and Art (1st Class) in 2007. Preface In 2004, I was requested to give a lecture in Muscat to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Oman-Japan Friendship Association, sponsored jointly by the Oman-Japan Friendship Association, Muscat Municipality, the Historical Association of Oman and the Embassy of Japan. It was an unexpected honour for me to be given such an opportunity. The subject of the lecture was “History of Exchange between Japan and Oman”. After I had started on my preparation, I learned that there was no significant literature on this subject. I searched for materials from scratch. I then organized the materials relating to the history of human exchange, the development of trade since the Meiji period (1868-1912) and the cultural exchanges between both countries. The lecture meeting was a success with over 140 attendees, including dignitaries such as the Chairman of the Oman-Japan Friendship Association cum Advisor to HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, the Japanese Ambassador and distinguished guests. Having been recognized for my caretaking activities towards Omani students in Japan, my contribution to the promotion of exchange between students of Japan and Oman, publication of books on Oman and assistance in the promotion of business between both countries, I received the “His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Order for Culture, Science and Arts – First Class” in 2007. It was really a greater honour than I deserve. After receipt of the honourable Order, I collected the drafts of the lectures and reorganized and elaborated them into a book entitled “Oman Kenbunroku” (literally, “Records of Oman” in Japanese) and published it in Japan in 2009. It is with my great pleasure that I can now publish this English book entitled “Oman and Japan” (basically the translation of “Oman Kenbunroku”), strongly recommended by my Omani and Japanese friends so that Omani people and peoples of other nationalities as well can get acquainted with the history of exchange between Japan and Oman. I shall be delighted if the readers find the book useful and instructive. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to HE Said bin Khalfan al Harthy, Advisor on Information Affairs, Ministry of Information, for making the publication of this book possible; Ms. Rosemary Hector, Ministry of Information, for her coordination role; and HE Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, former Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, for giving me the chance initially to write a book in Japanese on the history of exchange between Oman and Japan; HE Salim bin Nasser Al Maskri, Secretary General of the Council for Higher Education, for his continuous suggestions and support; Sheikh Mohamed Bahwan and Mr. Akira Okabe, Senior Managing Director of Toyota Motor Corporation, for inspiring me to publish the book in English. Moreover, I would like to thank Dr. Rosalind Buckton-Tucker for her elaboration of my draft manuscript; Messrs. Mike Kanagawa and Yutaka Endo for their helping hand in the translation work. Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to my beloved wife, Setsuko, for her continued support. Haruo Endo May 2012 3 CONTENTS Preface Chapter 1: What Oman is like ............................................................................ 8 1. Geography Rich in diversity 8 A Geologist’s paradise - its Ophiolite 9 2. Climate Half a year ‘Hell’, half a year ‘Paradise’ 10 Cyclone Gonu and the snow-covered mountain 10 3. People 64% nationals; nearly one fourth are less than 15 years old 11 4. Ibadhism Ibadhism commands a majority 11 Features of Ibadhism 12 5. Brief history of Oman Magan and Arabia Felix 12 The coming of the Azd 12 Advent of Islam 13 Imamate 14 Prosperity of Sohar 14 Occupation by the Portuguese 14 Expulsion of the Portuguese 14 The Al Bu Said Dynasty - Oldest in Arab countries 15 Reign of Said the Great 16 Division and decline of Oman 16 Chapter 2: Oman Renaissance .......................................................................... 17 Enthronement of Sultan Qaboos bin Said 17 The way towards a modern state 19 Meet-the-People tours 22 Progress towards democracy 23 Stipulation of the Basic Law 24 Economic development 25 Social advancement of Omani women 26 Towns Meeting in Japan 27 Chapter 3: Oman and East Asia ........................................................................ 28 My visit to the Silk Road 28 Beginning of exchange between the East and the West 29 Zhang Qian and Bang Chao 30 Exchange between the East and the West by the Sea route 31 Ancient Omanis’ maritime activities 33 Tang dynasty and Da-shi (Arabs) 34 The Dhow named Sohar 36 4 Chapter 4: Japan’s discovery of the Arabs ........................................................ 37 The first West Asian who came over to Japan 37 Japanese who went to West Asia 38 The first Japanese who saw Arabs 39 The first Arab who lived in Japan 40 Arrival of the Portuguese in Japan and Arab land 40 The first Japanese who visited Arab land - Oman 42 Information on Arabs during the Edo period 43 Arabian articles presented by the Dutch 46 Late Edo period and the Arabs 46 Chapter 5: Human exchange between Oman and Japan ................................ 51 Masaharu Yoshida Mission 51 Nobuyoshi Furukawa 51 Sukeyuki Ito 53 Masaharu Yoshida 55 Reign of Sultan Turki bin Said 58 Muscat nowadays 59 Yasumasa Fukushima 61 Toyokichi Ienaga 62 Reign of Sultan Faisal bin Turki 63 Chapter 6: Sultan Taimur bin Faisal and Shigetaka Shiga .................................... 66 Shigetaka Shiga 66 Shiga to Oman 68 Reign of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal 72 Chapter 7: Sultan Taimur’s stay in Japan and Princess Buthaina ........................ 74 Sultan Taimur’s stay at Kobe 74 Sultan Said’s visit to Kobe 76 Visit to Japan by Princess Buthaina 79 Press Report on Princess Buthaina 81 Visit to the tomb of Kiyoko Al Said 83 Reign of Sultan Said bin Taimur 84 Muscat Bay operation by the Japanese Imperial Navy 86 Chapter 8: Exchange of commodities between Oman and Japan - Trade ........... 89 Trade during the Meiji period, based on various literature 89 Trade during the Meiji period, based on Japanese statistics 90 Trade during the Meiji period, based on foreign statistics 92 Trade between the Middle East and Japan 92 Trade from the First World War until the Second World War 92 During the Second World War 96 From the end of the Second World War up to 1969 97 Oil development in Oman 98 Trip to Fahud oilfield 98 5 Chapter 9: Cultural exchange between Oman and Japan ................................... 100 1. Frankincense Frankincense and Christmas 100 Frankincense 101 History of frankincense 101 Introduction of frankincense to Japan 103 Toyama’s ‘Hangontan’ 105 Kaneyasu’s ‘Nyukosan’ 106 Arabs and fragrance 107 Transplantation of frankincense trees to Japan 108 2. Aruheito Aruheito and Alfeloa 109 Alfeloa’s origin from an Arabic word 111 Aruheito’s possible origin from Arabian countries 112 3. Ahazeej Arabian horses 113 Did chivalry originate in the Arab world? 115 Ahazeej 115 Chapter 10: Oman and Japan since 1970 ............................................................. 118 1. Human Exchange The first Japanese visitors to Oman after the Second World War 118 Establishment of diplomatic relations 119 Establishment of Friendship Associations 120 Exchange of visits by leading statesmen 122 Royal diplomacy 123 2. Exchange of Commodities Trade 124 Current trade between Oman and Japan 126 Inroads of Japanese firms into the Arab Gulf countries 126 Japanese firms penetration into Oman 127 Intergovernmental cooperation 129 Technical cooperation in the private sector 131 3. Cultural Exchange Introduction of Japanese culture 132 The Ship for World Youth 133 Rose and Cherry blossoms 134 Heian Garden of Japan 135 Sports exchange 135 Academic and student exchanges 136 Chapter 11: Invitation to Oman ........................................................................... 138 1. Rimal Al Sharqiyah/Eastern Sands 138 2. The Musandam Peninsula and the Strait of Hormuz 140 3. Land of frankincense 143 4. Muscat and Nizwa 145 5. Sohar and other towns 146 6 Chapter 12: Oman and Japan ................................................................................ 147 1. Fascinating Oman Peaceful nation 147 Clean country 148 Beautiful country 148 Country of good-natured people 148 Country of long history 149 Eco and culture-friendly country 149 Country of perfume and flower lovers 149 Country of active women 150 International country 150 Pro-Japanese country 151 Japan and Oman