Inheritance of technology(6)

Learning from the United Kingdom during the Anglo-Satsuma War

In 1863, the Namamugi incident that had occurred the year before led to the Bombardment of Kagoshima (known by the Japanese as the Anglo-Satsuma War), and the Satsuma Domain sustained major damage. This caused the Satsuma Domain to keenly realize the necessity of importing science and technology from UK in particular, and through the mediation of Thomas Glover, the domain sent 19 envoy-students to UK to strengthen ties. It later invited technicians from UK, and under their guidance established and began operating the first Western-style mechanized spinning mill in Japan.

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Shoko Shuseikan and Sengan-en

The building at Shoko Shuseikan is Japan’s oldest existing stone-built Western-style machine shop, completed in 1865. It’s part of the Shuseikan Industrial Complex. It’s a national important cultural property, part of Sengan-en and part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.”
The Sengan-en Shimazu clan villa has one of Japan’s most famous daimyo gardens. In addition to the magnificent garden looking out on Sakurajima island, it also features the residence where the head of the Shimazu clan lived.

Location: 9700-1 Yoshinocho, Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima
PH: 099-247-1551 (Sengan-en)
Website: Sengan-en
https://www.senganen.jp/en/
Closed: Open year-round
Admission for Garden, Shoko Shuseikan, the House: 1,300 yen (general), 650 yen (junior high/elementary)
Admission for Garden and Shoko Shuseikan: 1,000 yen (general), 500 yen (junior high/elementary)
Transportation: Get off at “Sengan-en-mae” bus stop
Approx. 20 min from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station by car
Approx. 20 min from Kyushu Jukan Expressway Kagoshima-kita Interchange
Parking: Available (paid)


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Former Kagoshima Foreign Engineers’ Residence (Ijin-kan)

When Shimazu Tadayoshi, the 29th head of the Shimazu clan, imported spinning machines from England and created Japan’s first Western-style spinning mill, this building was built as the lodging house for English engineers he invited to teach him about that technology. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.”

Location: 9685-15 Yoshinocho, Kagoshima-shi
PH: 099-247-3401(Former Kagoshima Foreign Engineer's Residence)
Website: Kagoshima City (Japanese only)
http://www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp/kyoiku/kanri/bunkazai/shisetsu/kanko/048.html
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: 200 yen (general), 100 yen (junior high/elementary)
Transportation: 2 min walk from “Sengan-en-mae” bus stop
Approx. 20 min from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station by car
Approx. 20 min from Kyushu Jukan Expressway Kagoshima-kita Interchange
Parking: Available (6 standard sized vehicles/free)


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Satsuma Students Museum

Satsuma Students Museum provides information on Japanese students from the Satsuma Domain who traveled to England to learn about cutting-edge technology and then worked toward the modernization of Japan. The exterior of the building was designed based on the image of Satsuma Western-style buildings, which combined early-Meiji red-brick walls and Japanese-style roof tiles.

Location: 4930 Hashima, Ichikikushikino-shi, Kagoshima
PH: 0996-35-1865 (Satsuma Students Museum)
Website: Satsuma Students Museum
http://ssmuseum.jp/index_e.html
Transportation: Approx. 20 min from JR Kushikiono Station by car
* Free shuttle bus available (5-24 people/reservations required)
Approx. 20 min from Minamikyushu Expressway Kushikino Interchange