A Look Inside Japan’s Hidden Masonic History

When most people think of Freemasonry’s global reach, Japan doesn’t immediately come to mind.

The nation known for samurai, Shinto shrines, and centuries of isolation seems an unlikely place for a Western fraternal organization to take root.

Yet Japan has a fascinating and surprisingly deep Masonic history dating back over 160 years, with lodges that survived earthquakes, world wars, and government persecution.

Today, approximately 1,500 Freemasons meet in 18 lodges across Japan under the Grand Lodge of Japan, established in 1957.

But the story begins much earlier, with Commodore Matthew Perry’s arrival in 1853 and the two Japanese scholars who became Freemasons in Holland before Japan even opened its doors to the outside world.

The Shogunate’s End and Freemasonry’s Beginning

For over 200 years, Japan maintained a policy of near-total isolation from the Western world. The Tokugawa shogunate allowed only limited trade with the Dutch and Chinese at the port of Nagasaki. No Japanese citizens could leave the country, and no foreigners could enter.

This self-imposed seclusion ended dramatically in 1853 when U.S. Navy Commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay with four warships, demanding that Japan open itself to trade.

Perry himself was a Freemason, a member of Holland Lodge No. 8 in New York City. His arrival triggered the chain of events that would bring Freemasonry to Japan, though it would take nearly a decade.

In 1862, Japan’s first Masonic lodge was established in Yokohama. Sphinx Lodge No. 263, chartered under the Grand Lodge of Ireland, was a traveling military lodge attached to the 2nd Battalion of the 20th Lancashire Fusiliers.

British and French troops had been stationed in Yokohama since 1863 after attacks on foreigners by anti-Western samurai prompted foreign governments to demand military protection for their citizens.

Sphinx Lodge met wherever the regiment was stationed, a practice common for military lodges of the era.

The lodge had operated in Malta, Sicily, Gibraltar, throughout the Peninsular Campaign, and even at St. Helena where Napoleon was imprisoned. When the regiment arrived in Yokohama in 1864, the lodge came with them, marking the first recorded Masonic activity in Japan.

The First Japanese Freemasons

Before any lodge operated in Japan, two Japanese men became Freemasons in Europe. Tsuda Mamichi and Nishi Amane traveled to the University of Leiden in the Netherlands in 1863 to study Western law, political science, and economics.

Their professor, Simon Vissering, was a member of La Vertu Lodge No. 7 of Leiden and encouraged his Japanese students to join the Craft.

In late 1864, both Tsuda and Nishi were initiated, passed, and raised in La Vertu Lodge, becoming the first Japanese nationals to become Freemasons.

After returning to Japan, both men played significant roles in their country’s modernization. Tsuda became a professor at what is now Tokyo University and helped draft Japan’s modern legal codes.

Nishi became a philosopher and educator who introduced Western philosophy to Japan and coined Japanese terms for concepts like “philosophy,” “science,” and “society.”

Their Masonic involvement remained private. An unwritten agreement existed that no Japanese would be admitted to lodges operating in Japan.

The Japanese government technically considered Freemasonry illegal after extra-territoriality was abolished in 1899, but a gentleman’s agreement allowed foreign lodges to operate as long as they didn’t recruit Japanese citizens.

The Yokohama Lodges

Following Sphinx Lodge, permanent lodges began forming in Yokohama’s foreign settlement. Yokohama Lodge No. 1092 under the United Grand Lodge of England held its first meeting on June 26, 1866. Otentosama Lodge (UGLE) followed in 1869.

Star in the East Lodge No. 640 under the Grand Lodge of Scotland was consecrated on September 16, 1879, and still meets today, making it one of Japan’s oldest continuously operating lodges.

The members of these early lodges read like a who’s who of foreigners instrumental in Japan’s modernization. They included British diplomat William George Aston, who introduced Japanese literature to the English-speaking world. Brother A. Kirby built Japan’s first iron-clad warship.

Thomas W. Kinder, a British Mason, ran the Mint Bureau in Osaka. John R. Black published the Japan Gazette and wrote “Young Japan,” an important chronicle of the Meiji era.

These lodges met at the Masonic Hall on Yamashita-cho 61 in Yokohama. The building served as the center of Masonic activity in Japan for decades, housing meetings, banquets, and social gatherings.

Brothers from different lodges and constitutions mingled freely, united by their Masonic bonds despite working under different Grand Lodge jurisdictions.

The Great Kanto Earthquake

On September 1, 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake devastated Tokyo and Yokohama. The 7.9 magnitude quake and subsequent fires killed over 140,000 people and destroyed much of both cities.

The Yokohama Masonic Hall was completely destroyed, along with lodge records, regalia, and furnishings accumulated over 60 years.

The disaster could have ended Freemasonry in Japan. Instead, it demonstrated Masonic resilience. With financial support from the United Grand Lodge of England, a new Yokohama Masonic Temple was built on the Bluff, a hillside area overlooking the city.

The cornerstone was laid with Masonic ceremony, and the new temple was dedicated on February 12, 1927.

This beautiful building, constructed with funds sent from England on condition that property be owned and controlled by lodges working under the English Constitution, became a symbol of Freemasonry’s permanence in Japan.

It stood as a testament to international Masonic brotherhood, English Masons funding a temple for their Brothers half a world away.

World War II and Persecution

The dark years of militarism and war brought Freemasonry in Japan to its knees. As Japan aligned with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, it adopted their anti-Masonic policies.

The government banned Freemasonry along with the Boy Scouts and Rotary International, all seen as Western influences and potential sources of resistance.

The rationale was borrowed directly from Nazi propaganda. Freemasonry was accused of being part of a Jewish-Masonic conspiracy against Japanese interests.

Public exhibitions in Tokyo department stores displayed confiscated Masonic regalia and equipment, presenting the “fearful secrets” of Freemasonry in sensationalist terms designed to turn public opinion against the Craft.

The Yokohama Masonic Temple was closed throughout the war. When American servicemen entered the building after Japan’s surrender, they found items missing and damage from years of neglect and possibly deliberate vandalism. Lodges ceased all activity.

Brothers who were foreign nationals were interned or deported. The flame of Japanese Freemasonry flickered and nearly died.

MacArthur and the Rebirth

The story of Freemasonry’s revival in Japan is inseparable from General Douglas MacArthur. As Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Japan, MacArthur oversaw the occupation and Japan’s post-war transformation.

He was also a Freemason, raised in Manila Lodge No. 1 in the Philippines in 1936.

MacArthur understood that Freemasonry’s principles of brotherhood, equality, and individual liberty aligned perfectly with the democratic values he sought to instill in post-war Japan. When American servicemen requested permission to form lodges, he granted it immediately.

These new lodges came under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, the nearest established Grand Lodge.

On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1949, the Grand Master of the Philippines constituted Far East Lodge No. 124 and installed its officers. This marked the formal rebirth of active Freemasonry in Japan under Allied occupation.

Opening the Door to Japanese Citizens

The question of admitting Japanese citizens to Freemasonry sparked intense debate. Some American Masons opposed it on religious grounds, arguing that Japanese candidates must be Christians. Others worried about admitting former enemies so soon after the war.

MacArthur actively supported opening Freemasonry to Japanese. He saw it as part of democratization, breaking down social barriers and bringing Japanese leaders into fraternal equality with Americans. Leaders of the new democratic Japan expressed interest.

Prince Higashikuni, uncle of the Emperor and briefly Prime Minister after the war, stated his desire to become “a humble servant of Freemasonry in order to learn the real significance of brotherhood-fraternity.”

The controversy centered on what sacred text Japanese candidates would use for their obligations. Some insisted on the Christian Bible. Others recognized that Japan’s religious tradition was different and that requiring Christianity would exclude worthy men.

After considerable discussion, it was decided that the Holy Bible would be used, as it is considered the Great Light of Freemasonry, but that this would not require candidates to be Christian.

The FBI and Counter Intelligence Corps investigated Japanese candidates to ensure they met Masonic standards. This vetting was more stringent than typically required in the United States but reflected the sensitive political climate.

On April 5, 1950, a delegation of 20 Masons from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines arrived in Tokyo to conduct initiation ceremonies. The first group of Japanese petitioners were raised, marking an epochal moment in Masonic history.

The Grand Lodge of Japan

By the mid-1950s, several lodges in Japan had significant Japanese membership and conducted ritual work in Japanese. The time had come to establish a sovereign Grand Lodge.

On May 1, 1957, the Grand Lodge of Japan was formally constituted with seven founding lodges.

Recognition came quickly. Within a year, seven Grand Lodges had recognized the Grand Lodge of Japan, and at least ten others were in fraternal communication.

The Scottish Rite and York Rite bodies accepted Master Masons from Japanese lodges, cementing the new Grand Lodge’s legitimacy in the worldwide Masonic community.

The Grand Lodge acquired remarkable property for its headquarters. In 1950, the Tokyo Masonic Lodge, with support from Scottish Rite bodies, purchased the former Suikosha, the Imperial Japanese Navy Officers Club.

This elegant three-story building on prime land in central Tokyo became the Tokyo Masonic Building.

The property’s history was extraordinary. It had been the estate of the Hisamatsu Daimyo, a feudal lord who maintained a mansion and garden there. In 1928, the Imperial Navy acquired it for their officers’ club.

The building survived the devastating Tokyo air raids of 1945, though smoke-stained. After the war, it housed American occupation forces before being sold.

The Modern Tokyo Masonic Center

By the 1980s, the aging Suikosha building had become expensive to maintain and inadequate for modern needs. The Tokyo Masonic Association entered into a complex arrangement with Shimizu Corporation and Mori Property Development.

The old building was demolished and replaced with two revenue-generating office towers. A modern Tokyo Masonic Center was built, appearing at first glance to be a modest two-story building in one corner of the property.

The appearance is deceptive. Below ground, a large complex houses spacious meeting rooms, fully equipped catering facilities, and dining areas.

The modernistic design has been featured in architectural studies as an example of contemporary Masonic architecture that honors tradition while embracing the future.

The Tokyo Masonic Center sits near Tokyo Tower in the Shiba neighborhood, one of the most recognizable areas of the city. Its subtle exterior symbolism respects Japanese aesthetic preferences while marking it as a Masonic building to those who know what to look for.

Visiting Masonic Sites in Japan

For traveling Masons, Japan offers unique opportunities to experience Freemasonry in a culture vastly different from Western traditions.

Tokyo Masonic Center Address: 2-4-1 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011

The center is not open to the public, but Masons in good standing can arrange visits by contacting the Grand Lodge of Japan office in advance. Bring current dues cards and preferably a letter of introduction from your home lodge. Several lodges meet here, including Sinim Lodge, an English-language lodge originally formed in Shanghai that now meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM.

The center is easily accessible by Tokyo Metro. From Kamiyacho Station, it’s a four-minute walk. From Onarimon Station, five minutes. The building sits in a pleasant neighborhood near several temples and shrines, making it easy to combine a Masonic visit with general sightseeing.

Star in the East Lodge, Yokohama

Lodge Star in the East No. 640 SC continues to meet in Yokohama after 145 years of continuous operation. The lodge has moved eight times over its history but maintains its charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Visiting this lodge connects you to the earliest days of Japanese Freemasonry and to the Scottish Masons who helped establish the Craft in Asia.

Lodge Hiogo & Osaka, Kobe

Lodge Hiogo & Osaka No. 498 SC, chartered February 7, 1870, still meets in Kobe. Originally meeting in Corinthian Hall, the lodge now gathers at Kirby Hall. Kobe’s port city atmosphere and international history create a fitting setting for one of Japan’s oldest lodges.

Practical Tips for Visiting Japanese Lodges

Japanese Freemasonry blends Western Masonic tradition with Japanese cultural norms in fascinating ways. Here’s what traveling Brothers should know:

Contact lodges well in advance. Japanese lodges appreciate formal notice of visiting Brothers. Email the secretary at least two weeks before your visit, providing your Masonic credentials and explaining your travel plans.

Dress conservatively. Japanese culture values formal presentation. Wear a dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie. Some lodges may have specific dress requirements.

Arrive early. Punctuality is highly valued in Japanese culture. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the stated meeting time to allow for introductions and any necessary examination.

Learn basic Japanese courtesies. While many Japanese Masons speak English, learning basic greetings and polite phrases demonstrates respect. A simple “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (pleased to meet you) goes a long way.

Understand ritual differences. Japanese lodges may conduct ritual in Japanese, English, or a combination. The essential elements remain the same across jurisdictions, but specific wording and practices will differ.

Participate in the festive board. Japanese Masonic dining traditions often incorporate elements of Japanese cuisine and hospitality. This is where the deepest fellowship happens. Don’t rush away after the meeting closes.

The Universality of Freemasonry

Japan’s Masonic history demonstrates something profound about the Craft. Freemasonry’s principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth transcend cultural boundaries.

Japanese Masons practice the same Craft as Brothers in London, New York, or Sydney, yet they do so in ways that honor their own cultural context.

Walking through Tokyo’s streets, you’d never guess that 1,500 Freemasons meet regularly in this city. The Tokyo Masonic Center doesn’t announce itself with grand columns or obvious symbolism.

It sits quietly among office buildings and apartments, its modern design blending with the urban landscape. Only those who know what to look for recognize it as a Masonic building.

This discretion reflects Japanese cultural values but also echoes Freemasonry’s own character. We don’t demand attention. We work quietly, meeting on the level regardless of nationality, religion, or background.

A Japanese businessman, an American serviceman, and a British expatriate sit as equals in lodge, united by obligations that matter more than their differences.

That’s what makes Japanese Freemasonry special. It proves that our principles work anywhere, in any culture, among any people. The two scholars initiated in Holland in 1864 never imagined that 160 years later, Japanese Freemasons would meet in a modern temple built on the grounds of a feudal lord’s estate.

But perhaps they understood that Masonic light, once kindled, cannot be extinguished.

Japan’s Masonic history is hidden not because it’s secret but because it’s woven quietly into the fabric of the nation’s modern development. The foreign Brothers who built the first lodges helped modernize Japan.

The Japanese Brothers who joined after the war helped democratize it. Today’s Japanese Freemasons carry forward both legacies, proving that Freemasonry’s universal principles need no translation.