The Special Meeting of Far East Lodge No. l, F&AM was held at the Masonic Temple, at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 26th day of February, 2011.
A Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 13:00 hours with WBro Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and MWB Watanabe, acting JW in the South.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this lodge had convened for the purpose of conferring the First Degree of Masonry upon Mr. Yasumitsu Hoshi and Mr. Shunji Suzuki.
At 13:40 hours, by three distinct knocks on the door by candidates and they were admitted into the Lodge and obligated an Enter Apprentice with WBro Inomata. Bro Ishibashi gave the Apron Lecture, and Working Tool Lecture was given by Bro. Tomio Ogawa. The Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of intermission to the second part of conferral.
The second section had started by 3 knocks again at 14:45 and our newly-obligated Entered Apprentices had been readmitted, and conducted to the North-east Corner of the Lodge. Then Bro Taniuchi supposed to give the Degree Lecture however, because of his sudden indisposition, WB Inomata explained the change of program to candidates and asked MWB Watanabe to deliver the Charge of the Degree. WB Inomata decided to postpone the lecture to our next meeting, on 5 March.
At the end of the Ceremony, WB Inomata gave the usual instructions and advice to newly initiated Masons and then proceeded to close.
Peace and harmony prevailing, the Lodge was closed at 15:00 hours with WBro Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and MWB Watanabe, acting JW in the South.
There were totally 12 MMs and 2 newly obligated brethren. And regrets had received from Bros Tatara, Ogawa (Taiki), Suzuki (Yutaro) and Taniuchi.
In consideration of our two candidates, almost all the degree work and all the lectures were given in Japanese. Mr. Suzuki chose to take his Obligation upon his own VSL, a copy of a Buddhist sutra that he had brought with him to the meeting. The sutra was placed alongside the Holy Bible, and a separate pair of Square and Compasses placed upon it. As far as I know, this is the very first affair in Far East Lodge No. 1 history.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary