Untamed Japan

A memoir of a British woman's 1878 journey through Japan's northern interior, including Yezo.

A British woman defied convention by setting out alone through Japan's northern interior in 1878, a journey few foreigners dared attempt. With only a Japanese servant named Ito for company, she navigated treacherous mountain passes, encountered the mysterious Ainu people, and observed Japan's dramatic transformation during the Meiji Restoration. Her journey took her from Tokyo through the volcanic landscapes of Yezo, where she witnessed ancient customs alongside the rapid modernization reshaping the nation. She faced challenges of language barriers, unfamiliar terrain, and the constant threat of illness, all while documenting a Japan on the cusp of Western influence. Her observations of Ainu culture, Japanese society, and the natural beauty of northern Japan offer a rare glimpse into a nation in transition.