ROLES of the University of Tokyo invites you to a seminar on architecture and diplomacy, particularly focusing upon Japan and its integration into the modern diplomatic system led by the West, materialized in the urban context of Istanbul.

This is part of the series of seminars and lectures on "Trajectory of Modern Japanese Diplomacy in Istanbul" launched on 8 December with the seminar at the University of Tokyo, on the material and visual representation of Japan in Istanbul. 

This seminar is organized and hosted incooperation with the Faculty of Architecture of Istanbul Technical University (ITU). 

Seminar   
Architecture and Diplomacy: Origins and Development of Japanese Presence in Istanbul

Date and Time: 16 February 2024 16:30-17:30
Venue: İTÜ Taşkışla Room 230, Istanbul

Welcome address and Introduction
Assist.Prof.Dr. Miyuki Aoki Girardelli (ITU)

Turning Points in the Evolution of a Diplomatic Architecture in Istanbul - late 18th to early 20th century
Prof.Dr. Paolo Girardelli (Boğaziçi University)

The Old Japanese Embassy / Consulate-General Building in Gümüşsuyu – A Case Study
Assist.Prof.Dr. Miyuki Aoki Girardelli (ITU)

Japanese Diplomatic Presence in Istanbul: A New Aspect of the Historiography of Modern World Politics
Prof. Satoshi Ikeuchi (University of Tokyo)

Introduction of Historical Assessment of the Ship Passage Regime in the Istanbul Strait – a Book Written by a Japanese Diplomat, Hitoshi Ashida
Prof.Dr. Bayram Öztürk (Istanbul University / Turkish Marine Research Foundation)

Discussion

Concluding Remarks
Assist.Prof.Dr. Miyuki Aoki Girardelli (ITU)

Abstract:

Turning Points in the Evolution of a Diplomatic Architecture in Istanbul - late 18th to early 20th century
Prof.Dr. Paolo Girardelli (Boğaziçi University)
This presentation shows how the embassy buildings, constructed or used over time by the foreign powers in the Ottoman capital, constitute an evolving system of images, styles and representations, connected to the evolution of power balances and international relations. Until the mid 18th century these structures were integrated in the urban and architectural fabric of Istanbul, being wooden mansions of the local type. However, after 1774 (Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca) and the emergence of Russia as a new challenge in power balances around the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the image of the French and Venetian palaces changed radically, to become more academic and western. The Beyoğlu fire of 1831 marked another turning point: with the destruction of most ambassadorial palaces in the heights of Pera, Russia seized the opportunity to monumentalize its residence, with Gaspare Fossati's project for a neoclassical embassy (1837-45), followed by imposing mansions of similar size for France (1839-44) and Great Britain (1847). With the unification of Italy (1861) and Germany (1871) new powers entered the landscape of diplomacy, and invested in architectural projects around Taksim. This topographical shift (extending even to Maçka in the early 20th century) marks the last phase in the evolution of a diplomatic topography, that will finally include Japan in the early Republican period.


Introduction of Historical Assessment of the Ship Passage Regime in the Istanbul Strait – a Book Written by a Japanese Diplomat, Hitoshi Ashida
Prof.Dr. Bayram Öztürk (Istanbul University / Turkish Marine Research Foundation)
A Japanese diplomat, Hitoshi Ashida, wrote a book titled “Historical Assessment of Ship Passage Regime in the Istanbul Strait” during his duty as a first secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Istanbul and received his doctorate degree. Later, he left Ministry of Foreign Affairs for politics and became a Prime minister in 1948. 
This book published in 1930 consists of 18 chapters and 4 maps, 534 pages in total. One of the importance of the book is the description of Atatürk period. In addition, the Strait Commission and its activities are worth mentioning.
The Turkish Straits, including Çanakkale (Dardanelles) and İstanbul Strait (Bosporus), are ecologically important for many marine species but also crucial for many geopolitical and economic reasons, mainly in trouble time such as a war in the Black Sea. This book is translated to Turkish by Turkish Marine Research Foundation and will be published for the 100th Year of Turkish-Japanese Diplomatic Relations in 2024.