‘旅券’ということばの成立

Abstract

This report deals with the process of naming the word “ryoken”, which is a form of identification card used to get permission to go to foreign countries, as it entered Japan. As a result, things that became clear are as follows;1.    When the passport first appeared in Japan during the last periods of Edo Shogunate era, it was called 手形(commercial paper)、印章(seal)、印鑑(one’s seal)、鑑札(license)、免状(license) and such, but not as “ryoken” at that time. 2.    “Ryoken” has become the official term with the publication of “The Rule of Foreign Passport” in 1878 (Meiji 11). “Ryoken” can be found in “The Rule of Domestic Tour” suggested by Superintendent General Kawaji Toshiyoshi in 1875~76 (Meiji 8~9). The word “ryoken” was selected not among other words that were originally used. 3.    “Ryoken” was registered on the index of Japanese dictionary, spreading from legal term to general term, around the implementation of the immigration policy by the Japanese government in 1885 (Meiji 18). 4.    Although the word “ryoken” was conveyed to China and Korea, China does not use it anymore, and Korea now uses it as “passport.”