Series 3-40: From Japan's pigeon history — European examples and communication methods

This section, taken from the Japan Racing Pigeon Association (JRPA) site and from the previously published "History of Japan's pigeon world" series, examines the course of pigeon and communication practices in 19th-century Japan. The article notes that sources from the Satsuma–Britain conflict period indicate that, despite expecting attacks by the British navy, carrier pigeon communication was not used. It also points out that Saigo Takamori's 1862 records show he held a rare official title; this could indicate a responsibility area linked to birds—particularly hawk training and oversight—alongside infantry observation. The article records that in September 1865 (Keio 1) flag signaling was publicly permitted for the first time; it cites a journal article dated Taisho 14 (January) that says the decision resulted from local observers noticing foreign warships and warning the authorities. The text also emphasizes that long-standing feudal practices limited the public's keeping of pigeons and hindered the development of indigenous communication techniques; this left Japan behind the rapidly advancing pigeon racing and communication technologies in Europe (for example, the fast returns of pigeons from the Rothschild family line and the more advanced race clocks by the time of Napoleon III). The piece recalls that around 8,000 racing pigeons were released at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which created a boom at the time, and that today there are about 10,000 enthusiasts in Japan affiliated with two main pigeon racing organizations, mostly middle-aged and older men. The article ends by noting the topic will continue.