Edward VIII and Duck Netting at Hama-rikyū Gardens, Japan 1922

Edward VIII and Duck Netting at Hama-rikyū Gardens, Japan 1922 The photograph from 1922 shows a rare and evocative scene: the future King Edward VIII—then the Prince of Wales—kneeling at the edge of a serene tidal pond in Tokyo’s Hama-rikyū Gardens, gripping a long-handled net as he attempts to capture ducks in the traditional Japanese manner known as kamo-oshi, or duck netting. Dressed in a light-colored summer suit, wide-brimmed hat, and polished shoes, the young prince appears both earnest and slightly bemused, his posture bent in concentration as gardeners and Japanese officials look on. The backdrop reveals the garden’s signature elements: a rustic wooden teahouse perched on an island, weeping willows trailing into the water, and the soft glint of sunlight on the brackish pond fed by Tokyo Bay. This moment captures not just a royal curiosity but a deliberate cultural exchange during one of the most significant British royal visits to Japan. Duck netting in Japan likely originated during the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868), when powerful daimyō (feudal lords) and members of the shogun’s inner circle maintained expansive private estates in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). These estates often featured ornamental ponds stocked with wild ducks, which were not raised for food but for sport and aesthetic pleasure. The practice of kamo-oshi was refined as a genteel form of hunting that emphasized skill, patience, and harmony with nature—values central to samurai culture. Unlike Western fowling with guns, kamo-oshi involved no violence. Ducks were lured into shallow, reed-lined enclosures within the pond using decoys and subtle movements. Once the birds settled, participants—often high-ranking guests or family members—would use long-handled, fine-meshed nets (kamo-ami) to gently scoop them from the water. The ducks were typically released afterward, making the activity more ceremonial than utilitarian. Strict rules governed the practice: only certain species, such as mallards, were targeted; nets had to be handled with precision to avoid harming the birds; and the entire process unfolded in near silence to preserve the tranquility of the garden. It was as much a meditative ritual as a pastime. Hama-rikyū (Hama-rikyū Onshi Teien, or “Hama Detached Palace Garden”) was originally established in the early 17th century as a feudal lord’s villa and duck-hunting ground for the Tokugawa shoguns. Located on the shores of Tokyo Bay in what is now Chūō Ward, the garden was uniquely designed to harness the natural tides—its central pond, Ōkichi-no-ike, fills and drains with seawater twice daily, creating a dynamic ecosystem ideal for waterfowl. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the garden was transferred to the Imperial Household and renamed Hama-rikyū, serving as a detached palace and private retreat for the Emperor. It remained a symbol of imperial prestige and a venue for hosting foreign dignitaries. The duck-hunting tradition persisted into the early 20th century as a living cultural performance, especially for distinguished visitors—a way to showcase Japan’s refined heritage without compromising its modernizing image. In April–May 1922, the Prince of Wales embarked on a groundbreaking goodwill tour of Japan—the first visit by a British royal heir since the Meiji era. His itinerary included meetings with Emperor Taishō, tours of industrial sites, and cultural demonstrations designed to strengthen Anglo-Japanese relations in the post–World War I era. On April 26, 1922, the prince visited Hama-rikyū Gardens, where he was invited to take part in kamo-oshi. Under the guidance of garden keepers, he attempted to net ducks using the traditional method—an act that delighted both Japanese hosts and international press. The gesture was deeply symbolic: by participating in a centuries-old aristocratic custom, Edward signaled respect for Japanese tradition at a time when Western powers often dismissed non-European cultures as “exotic” or inferior. Photographs of the event were widely circulated, reinforcing Japan’s image as a nation that harmonized modernity with deep cultural roots. Edward VIII was indeed an avid sportsman and hunter, a trait common among British aristocrats of his time. Throughout his life, he particularly enjoyed shooting game birds such as pheasant, partridge, and grouse, often participating in large driven shoots on royal estates like Sandringham and Balmoral. He also hunted deer and was known to take part in fox hunting in his youth. However, his experience at Hama-rikyū was markedly different from his usual pursuits—it required finesse rather than firepower, stillness rather than pursuit. Though Edward’s duck netting was likely more performative than proficient, the moment endures as a poignant intersection of two worlds: the fading rituals of the Tokugawa elite and the global diplomacy of the 20th century, all framed within the timeless beauty of Hama-rikyū’s tidal gardens. Today, the garden remains a public park, and while duck netting is no longer practiced, the memory of the future king’s brief immersion in this elegant tradition lives on in photographs and historical records—a quiet testament to cross-cultural curiosity in an age of empires.