Matsuura Takeshiro

Matsuura Takeshiro
Portrait Photograph of Matsuura Takeshiro/Matsuura Takeshiro Memorial Museum Collection

The Explorer Matsuura Takeshiro

Late Edo Period, Meiji Period

Whole of Hokkaido, Mie Prefecture

The Man who Named Hokkaido

The late Edo period explorer Matsuura Takeshiro, was born in Ise Province (present-day Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture). Through his survey of Ezochi (Hokkaido), compiled across six visits, Matsuura Takeshiro engaged in close interactions with Ainu people and left many detailed records of Ezochi. When the Meiji Government sought to rename Ezochi, around 150 years ago, he put forth six proposed names, including “Hokkaido”, which led to him being known as the “man who named Hokkaido”.

Tozai Ezo Sansen Chiri Torishirabe Zu
“Tozai Ezo Sansen Chiri Torishirabe Zu” (Geographical Map of East and West Ezo Mountains and Rivers) by Matsuura Takeshiro, National Diet Library Collection
Tozai Ezo Sansen Chiri Torishirabe Zu
“Tozai Ezo Sansen Chiri Torishirabe Zu” (Geographical Map of East and West Ezo Mountains and Rivers) by Matsuura Takeshiro, National Diet Library Collection
Sugoroku Board Game
Sugoroku Board Game, published as a Guide to Ezochi
Matsuura Takeshiro, “Shinban Ezo Miyage Dochu Sugoroku” (Ezo Souvenir Journey Sugoroku Board Game, New Edition) Collection of Hokkaido Museum