German Emperor's Tributary Monument

In 1873, the German ship R. J. Robertson was wrecked on Miyakojima in the Ryūkyū Kingdom.[1] The crew was saved by the local islanders, who took care of them. As a gift for the islanders' kindness, and as an excuse for German warships to enter Ryūkyūan waters, Kaiser Wilhelm I erected a monument on the island in 1876, known locally as the German Emperor's Tributary Monument (ドイツ皇帝博愛記念碑 Doitsu kōtei hakuai kinenhi) or the Friendship Monument.[1]

A plaque on the monument reads:

Im Juli 1873 ist das Deutsche Schiff R.J.Roderison gefiihrt von Capitain Hernsheim aus Hamburg an den Felsen vor der Kuste von Typinsan gestrandet. Die Besatzung ward mit Hilfe der Uferbewohner gerettet in Sicherheit gebracht und wahrend 34 Tage gastlich aufgenommen bis sich am 17 August 1873 die Heimreise bewirken Hess. In dankbaren Anerkennung dieses riihmlichen Benehmens haben Wir Wilhelm von Gottes Gnaden Deutscher Kaiser, Konig von Preussen, die Aufstellung dieses Denkmals zu bleiben der Erirmerung angeordnet.

After Japan annexed the Ryūkyū Kingdom, Japan used this as evidence of a history of friendship between Japan and Germany, and erected a second monument in 1936 that read "The land of German merchant marine distress" (獨逸商船遭難の地 Doitsu shōsen sōnan no ji).[1] In 1987, Ueno German Culture Village was opened in Ueno village.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kerr, George. Okinawa: History of an Island People. Tokyo, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1958. Page 410.
  2. ↑ 沖縄宮古島の「うえのドイツ文化村」ホームページ
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