Internet resolves confusion behind colourful history of cricket in Japan
SPORT
Stumped!
Internet resolves confusion behind colourful history of cricket in Japan
By Mike Galbraith
• Marking 150 years of cricket here
• Proof of first match found just last year
• Navy team armed in fear of ronin attack
COURTESY OF MARYLEBONE CRICKET CLUB
Mounted photo of the Yokohama, or Shore Team, given to the MCC by team captain James Campbell( second from right).
In June, the quintessential English game of cricket will become the first major Western sport to hit the 150-year mark in terms of documented matches. Records and photographs related to the first cricket match played in Japan were discovered last summer. They indicate that the game took place in June 1863, between the Royal Navy and a team of Yokohama civilians.
Rumours of a game played in 1863 had not been substantiated earlier. So, it had been said that the first cricket match in
COURTESY OF WYN EVANS
James Campbell Fraser, a Yokohama resident( 1861 – 68), sent photos and papers relating to the game to the MCC.
Japan was the Garrison vs. Royal Navy match, reported in the Japan Herald( 12 November, 1864 issue).
Further, according to the Collected Writings of Sir Hugh Cortazzi( 1999),“ The first cricket match in Japan was held in 1864 between the Army and the Navy”. The four innings’ totals in the Herald story match those mentioned by Cortazzi.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the rediscovered match was that the players wore revolvers, or had weapons close at hand.
Polar explorer Sir Albert Hastings Markham KCB( 1841 – 1918), who played for the naval team in the match, was quoted in Cricket magazine( 16 April, 1908) as saying,“ It is, I suppose, the only match on record in which the players had to be armed”.
The writer states the article was based on papers and photos sent to the Marylebone Cricket Club( MCC) by James Campbell Fraser, a Yokohama resident( 1861 – 68), who captained the Yokohama team.
Fraser’ s account begins,“ It took place in the year 1863 in Yokohama”, and goes on to explain that the few Europeans there were often warned that they would be killed, but laughed off such threats. One day, however, British Chargé d’ Affaires Edward St. John Neale warned foreigners that they would be attacked by masterless samurai“ on a certain day” that, historical records suggest, was 25 June. This day was set to kill any foreigners who had ignored the expulsion order issued in the name of the government.
Neale advised the Englishmen to evacuate to China, but they would do so only if the British government guaranteed them against any losses. Neale was unable to promise this, so the Britons decided to stay and defend themselves if attacked. The presence of Royal Navy ships in the Yokohama harbour offered some peace of mind.
As the“ certain day” approached, Fraser wrote:“ The native population of Yokohama, including the servants, cleared out bag and baggage. This meant that no business was to be done, and the Englishmen naturally wondered how they should pass the time, for they dare not leave the settlement and go into the country. A cricket match was suggested and a challenge sent to the fleet”.
“ A small force armed with rifles was landed from the men-of-war for protection”, wrote Fraser,“ and they played with their revolvers on, ready for any emergency. It was a most novel sensation for the wicket keeper, as he carried his revolver backwards and forwards from wicket to wicket and placed it behind the stumps. Fortunately, no attack took place either on that day or afterwards, and very soon the native population began to return”.
Although Fraser provided all the players’ names, he didn’ t give the scorecard, or report who won the game. But, on reading Fraser’ s account, Markham notes,“ You have omitted to mention the fact that the naval team gave you a‘ jolly good licking’”!
40 | BCCJ ACUMEN | MAY 2013