Freemasonry in Japan

This presentation explores the extraordinary history of Freemasonry in Japan — from its arrival in the treaty ports of Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagasaki, through suppression, war, and renewal, to the thriving Grand Lodge of Japan of today. Along the way we will trace the unique interplay between foreign traditions and Japanese culture, illustrated with stories of resilience: silk parachute aprons stitched in post-war Tokyo, confiscated lodge organs discovered in police parlours, and the solemn rededication of halls once used by the enemy. It is a story of survival, adaptation, and fraternity across boundaries — a journey from secrecy and suspicion to integration and civic life in modern Japan.

Sources

A Brief History of Freemasonry in Japan — Duncan T. MacPherson

Masonry in Japan (The First One Hundred Years, 1866–1966) — Nohea O. A. Peck

First Japanese Freemason? — Tsune Teddy Yamada, PGM

History of Masonry in Japan — Leo L. Noel, PM, Secretary

Kipling in Japan — Yoshiaki Kuwano

Anti-Masonry in Japan — James L. Johnston (with additional cited works by A.R. Catto, Christopher Haffner, Ellic Howe, and others)

Masonry in Japan 1864–1941 — Nohea Peck

The First American-Oriented Masonic Lodge of Japan

Freemasonry and Modern Japanese History — Clayton Robertson (with contributions/citations from C. Fred Kleinknecht, James L. Johnston, and others)