Friedrich August Luhdorf

Friedrich August Luhdorf was a German merchant who resided in Shimoda for roughly seven months in 1855.

Luhdorf first arrived in Japan aboard the German merchant ship Greta, entering the port of Hakodate on 1855/4/3. Along with G. Thaulow, captain of the Greta, he requested from Hakodate authorities permission to trade and was denied. They then made their way to Shimoda, arriving there on 5/21 and requesting permission for Luhdorf to take up lodging there for a time while the Greta carried Russian sailors castaway at Heda (Izu province) back home to Russia. They also expressed their interest in Japan signing a trade treaty with Germany.

By the 8th month of 1855, Luhdorf was residing in the Buddhist temple of Gyokusen-ji in Shimoda. Hearing of the Greta being captured by British warships, he requested from the Shimoda authorities aid in getting passage home to Europe, and offered firearms and sugar products in return for the provisions which had been given to him.

Luhdorf departed Shimoda on 1855/11/26 aboard the American merchant ship General Pierce.

He returned to Hakodate again, briefly, aboard an American ship two years later, in 1857/5.

References

• Ishin Shiryô Kôyô 維新史料綱要, vol 2 (1937), 41, 68, 72, 102, 104, 141, 341.