Horace Wilson brings baseball to Japan. |
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 Title: Seattle Asahi baseball team standing in front of Mizuno Bros. Sporting Goods Store. Photographer: Unknown  Title: Seattle Asahi baseball team meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Goto and Governor Inouye-Tokia, 1918. Photographer: Unknown Date: 1918  Title: John S. Ikeda, Mikado baseball player, Seattle, 1911 Photographer: Unknown Date: 1911 Notes: Japanese baseball teams began organizing in Seattle in 1904. The Mikado, an early Issei (first-generation immigrants) team, was formed in 1906. By 1919, the Mikado Club sponsored three baseball teams. (John S. Ikeda was born in 1889 and died in 1953 in Seattle.) For additional information about baseball in Japan click on the YouTube video.
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When Horace Wilson returned from the Civil War he decided to venture west to California. Eventually he crossed the Pacific and made his way to Japan. Wilson is the man the Japanese credit for introducing baseball to their country. (All Things Maine, n.d.) In 2003 Horace was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) Around 1872, during the Meiji Era, Horace Wilson, a professor at Kaisei Gakko (now Tokyo University), decided his students needed a break from their lessons. (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) The class got a little physical exercise by hitting a ball, throwing it, and running. This activity was sure to get their blood pumping. (The kanji for baseball is 野球 (やきゅう; yakyū) combining the characters for field and ball.) (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) Wilson took his students outdoors and introduced them to baseball. He had enjoyed the game himself, even during his time with the 12th Maine Regiment fighting Confederates in Louisiana. (All Things Maine, n.d.) A short time after Wilson introduced his students to the game of baseball, there was a seven inning game between the Foreigners, with Wilson playing left field and scoring two runs, and a team of Japanese players. (All Things Maine, n.d.) Japanese citizens quickly took to the game of baseball. Teams and leagues were formed and baseball became a much loved activity. The nation has a long history of amateur baseball including high school, collegiate, and international baseball. (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) In 1920 the first professional team was founded, but folded soon after. The first professional league was founded in 1936. (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) During World War II a season was suspended, but they continued playing after the war until 1949 when it was reorganized into Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for 1950. (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) The NPB is the current top-level competition in the country, and is made up of four leagues. (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) Japanese immigrants brought their passion for baseball with them when they crossed the ocean on their way to their new home in America. Once settled Japanese baseball teams began forming in the early 1900’s. (Baseball-Reference.com, n.d.) |
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