History Recap

[Chronology of Yokohama lodges, included in documents relating to the Yokohama Temple Problem. Far East Lodge No. 1 Archive, c. 1974.]

1862-1865 Sphinx Lodge — G/L Ireland. After Comm. Perry opened ports in Japan. Located at 80 Settlement (Yamashita-cho)

1865-1866 Perry forces withdraw, Sphinx inactivated.

26 Jun 1866 Yokohama Lodge 1092 — G/L England. Signed by Earl of Zetland — GM/E.

1867 1st Meeting — Home of J. R. Black (Japan Gazette).

1868 Yokohama Lodge 1092 moved to 38 Yamashita-cho (canal — shopping center). Room above auction hall of Messrs. J. W. Hall & Co. — went dark before WWII.

Jun 1869 Otentosama Lodge 1263 — G/L England — went dark before WWII.

9/16/1879 Lodge Star in the East #640 — G/L Scotland (95 YEARS AGO!).

8/10/1883 Tokyo Lodge #2015 — G/L England

1890 Masonic Hall Ltd. — 61 Yamashita-cho. 2 story brick building. Issued shares to lodges.

9/1/1923 Great Earthquake — lodge collapsed

1923/1924 to 1927 Lodge Star in the East #640 opened in ruins of American Trading Co. Office. Building owned by Ill. Bro. Frazer, 33°, Dep. Supreme Council, AASR.

2/12/1927 Funds from G/L England & built #3 Yamate-cho. Owned by Masonic Hall Ltd. Admin controlled by United G/L England:

  1. Lodge Star in the East #640, SC
  2. Yokohama Lodge #1092, EC
  3. Otentosama Lodge #1263, EC
  4. Orient Mark Lodge #304, EC
  5. A&ASR
  6. Far East Lodge #1 (Order of Odd Fellows)
  7. All paid rent to Masonic Hall Ltd.

1937 China incident — pressure on Masonry

12/8/41 GOJ confiscated building and all furniture, regalia, tools, books, etc.

4/9/46 SC 640 reactivated w/ prewar members & Masonic Brn from occupation forces. — LT-GEN Robert L. EICHELBERGER, CG, US 8th Army.

10/26/48 Far East Lodge #124, UD, G/L Philippines — 1/26/49

1957 Far East Lodge #1, G/L Japan.