Foreigner hired by the Shogunate to take care of the Shogunate's official money, late Edo period to early Meiji period (1860s)

Foreigner hired by the Shogunate to take care of the Shogunate's official money, late Edo period to early Meiji period (1860s)

Floriherald was indispensable to Japan's ability to handle large sums of money overseas at the end of the Edo period. Although the shogunate had diplomatic relations with other countries through treaties, its overseas diplomatic missions and international financial system were underdeveloped, and it did not have the ability to safely manage and invest funds in Europe. This void was filled by Florriherald, who was based in Paris and had a thorough knowledge of local society and financial affairs.

The construction of the Yokosuka Ironworks and the purchase of weapons were the core projects of modernization for the Shogunate, and the amount of money needed for these projects was extraordinary for the time. Since these payments were to be made in stages according to construction and delivery dates, the role of temporarily depositing the funds on-site and coordinating the timing of payments was required. This is why many of the funds brought by Shibata Hyuga's group were not actually used immediately, but were deposited in the hands of Floriherrt.

He was not merely a treasurer, but functioned as a financial agent who also dealt with foreign exchange and credit issues. For the shogunate, his personal credit was the foundation for its external credit, showing that diplomacy and finance were inseparable. This role as the custodian of the Bakufu's official funds quietly illustrates the reality that Japan, in the process of transitioning to a modern state, was relying on personal abilities to deal with the international community.