Lodge 640 History Index

Lodge Star in the East possesses few original documents relating to its 135 years of history, most having been destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 or lost during the Pacific War of 1941–1945. This section of the website is an attempt to reconstruct the history of the lodge from available materials, a few of which are preserved in the Documents Section.

Petition: Petition to the Grand Lodge of Scotland and issue of Charter, 1879.
Announcements: Announcements from the Japan Gazette advertising the inaugural meeting of Lodge Star in the East held on Tuesday, 16 September 1879.
News Report: Text of article in the 20 September 1879 edition of the Japan Weekly Mail, describing the Inauguration Meeting of Lodge Star in the East and listing the new office bearers.
Founder Members: List of the 23 founder members of Lodge Star in the East No. 640 as submitted to the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Masonic Hall: Description and photograph of the first Yokohama Masonic Hall, built in 1869.
The Gentleman's Agreement: Historical background to the agreement between the Japanese government and foreign Freemasons.
The Rise of Anti-Masonry: Anti-Masonic activities in Japan from 1920 until the end of the Pacific War.
The War Years: Expulsion of foreign nationals from Japan and the historic meeting of Lodge Star in the East on the Swedish luxury liner Gripsholm bound for Rio de Janiero.
The Post-War Years: Resumption of labour and growth in membership.
The Bluff Temple 1927–1941: History of the third Yokohama Masonic Temple from its construction to the outbreak of the Pacific War.
The Bluff Temple 1946–1981: Continued history of the third Yokohama Masonic Temple from the end of the Pacific War until its sale in 1981.
The YIS Temple 1986–2002: History of the fourth Yokohama Masonic Temple.
YIS Temple Dedication: Cornerstone laying and dedication ceremony, 28 September, 1985.
YIS Temple Interior: Views of the YIS Temple interior.
On the Move: Departure from the YIS Temple and the search for a new location.
The Midorigaoka Temple: Construction of the fifth Yokohama Masonic Temple.
Midorigaoka Temple Interior: Interior photos of the fifth Yokohama Masonic Temple.
Then and Now: A brief overview of 135 years of Masonic labour.