Liancourt Rocks Dispute - 1695 Inquiry Into Ulleungdo

1695 Inquiry Into Ulleungdo

In 1695 the Shogunate inquired of the Tottori clan (Tottori Prefecture today) if Takeshima (Ulleungdo) and "Matsushima" (Liancourt Rocks) were part of either Inaba or Hōki Province, where the Oya and Murakawa of Yonago resided.

The Shogunate inquired:

Since when has Takeshima(Ulleungdo) become a part of either Inaba (因幡) or Hōki (伯耆) Province? Was it before or after the year when your ancestor was given the two provinces (in 1632)? Are there any islands other than Takeshima(Ulleungdo) that are within the jurisdiction of the two provinces?

The Tottori replied:

Takeshima(Ulleungdo) does not belong to Inaba (因幡) or Hōki (伯耆). There is no other island that belongs to the two provinces other than Takeshima(Ulleungdo) and "Matsushima".

This reply was due to the fact that Takeshima (Ulleungdo) and "Matsushima" (Liancourt Rocks) belonged to Oki (隠岐) Province as recorded in Onshu shicho goki ("Records on Observations in Oki Province") of 1677, rather than to Inaba or Hoki Province.