A Little Known Episode in Antarctic Exploration

By Ivar Hamre

London, The Royal Geographical Society, November 1933. The Geographical Journal, Vol LXXXII No 5, 8vo. {viii) Publisher’s Advertisements, (2) unnumbered pages including full-page map, 387 – 480, [1x – xii] pp. There are 15 pp., 1 map, 4 black-and-white photographs that discuss the Japanese Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1912. Publisher’s printed blue wrappers in Fine condition inside and out with no fading, foxing, folds or tears. The complete issue – a very clean copy Fine condition. Scarce. — Ross 3.15

Lt. Nobu Shirase commanded the Japanese Antarctic Expedition of 1911 – 1912. The expedition sailed from Tokyo Bay in late November 1910 in the Kainan Maru with the intention to rival Scott and Amundsen for the South Pole. Shirase made two trips to the Antarctic and was successful in making land-fall during the second voyage into Antarctic waters. The expedition made several notable discoveries and was able to advance to 80º5’ where they planted the Japanese flag before returning to the Kainan Maru. This was the first Japanese scientific voyage to leave Asian waters and certainly their first to Antarctica. Shirase and his complete crew returned to Japan in June 1912 where they were greeted by thousands to a hero’s welcome.

Quoting The Geographical Journal: “ As an Antarctic venture, the Shirase Expedition should be judged, not on the shortage of 10 degrees from its original goal, but in light of the fact that this was a totally new departure in Japanese exploration based on no previous experience, which in polar regions is perhaps more important than anywhere else; in the light of this fact, the Japanese venture of 1911-1912 fully deserves its place, up till now left rather blank, in Antarctic history.”— Ivar Hamre

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