[78-L] Pre-1920 Japanese Record Labels

[78records at cdbpdx.com]

I just acquired a small collection of pre-1920 Japanese label records.  You can view here:
 
http://78records.cdbpdx.com/Japanese/early.html
 
There is a lot of info about 1930s and later Japanese 78s, but I haven't found much information about these early labels online, at least in english.  Any info/comments would be appreciated, including any web sites that might have a little history, either about these specific labels, or even a general history of early Japanese recordings and artists from this period.
 
There doesn't seem to be any western influence in these recordings at all.  Maybe Japanese opera?
 
Thanks!  CDB