Sir Rutherford Alcock in Atami

Rutherford Alcock(1809-1897) was the first British diplomatic representative in Japan. On March 1, 1859 he was appointed to Consul General in Japan. He opened the British Consulate General in Edo(=now Tokyo) within the ground of Tozen-ji Temple on July 6.  On Dec.23,1859. Alcock was promoted to Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary which is a diplomat of the second class ranking between an Ambassador and a Minister Resident under the terms of the Congress of Vienna of 1815. At the same time the British Consulate General in Edo(=now Tokyo) was promoted to the British Legation in Edo.

Tozen-ji Temple in Tokyo which was used as a diplomatic facility 'The British Legation in Japan'.

Alcock climbed Mt. Fuji on September 11, 1860 as the first non-Japanese to climb it. He also visited Atami with his pet dog.

 This is a portrait which is being hung on the wall of a park in Atami.

In his portrait you can see his pet 'Toby'.

In Atami there is another monument which is probably erected near an inn he stayed.

In the center of this photo there are two monuments. The big one is a monument for Alcock and the small one is his pet's tomb stone.
To be continued to 'Who was the first foreigner to climb Mt. Fuji'.
Written and posted by Mitsutoshi Masunari.