Right after the
Treaty of Kanagawa was signed, Perry then journeyed to visit the ports given
access to them. Explore what Commodore Perry and his squadron experienced from
these two ports.
Shimoda
After
the signing of the landmark Treaty of Kanagawa, Perry decided to stay for few
days in Yokohama before visiting the ports given access to Americans. On April
4, the Saratoga and Captain Adams left for the United States to deliver a copy
of the Treaty to the President and Congress. Meanwhile, Perry, out of curiosity
or even tactic to give the Japanese one last fright, he had the squadron sail
further up the bay on April 9. He advanced to the anxiety and protest of the
Japanese. But then, Perry did not want to give Japanese officials bad
impression of unfaithfulness, and ordered to stop in Shinagawa before
returning to American Anchorage by April 14.
On
April 18, 1854, Perry sailed for Shimoda and arrived there by the afternoon.
There he met with the local mayor and was given a feast in his honor. During
the feast the Commodore tasted Japan’s saki and his officails looked at what
seemed to be geishas presented to them. Also, the crew of his Squadron had the
chance to interact with the locals. The squadron stayed for few weeks,
resupplying, surveying, and meeting ordinary Japanese. Among the most shocking culture of
the locals or even of the Japanese that horrified them was public bathhouses
where men and women bathed together. For them, it was unthinkable in the United
States and the west.
But
besides knowing the local officials and the populace, Perry discussed with
local officials the necessities needed for the Americans that would be coming
to Shimoda. Lodgings were negotiated along with the limits up to where
Americans could go. Much of it was accomplished before Perry decided to sail to
the next port.
Hakodadi
(Hakodate)
After
staying in Shimoda for few days, Perry sailed to Hakodate to inspect
its harbor. There, he negotiated the same conditions as in Shimoda. His stay there lasted for more than half a month because
they waited for representatives from Edo tasked to formally inform the local
Daimyo of the situation.
On
May 6, 1854, the squadron sailed for Hakodadi in the island of Yesso, modern
day Hokkaido. On that day, the Macedonian, Vandalia, and Southampton sailed for
the northern port. Perry aboard the Powhatan and along with the Mississippi
followed to Hakodate on May 13. On the 17th, American officials visited the
local governor, Yendo Matzaimon, and discussed the objectives of the American
squadron in Hakodadi. The Americans informed the governor that they intend to enforce
the articles of the Kanagawa Treaty signed on March 31. They subtly threatened
the governor that any opposition or deviation by the local officials would
result to violence. Like what they asked in Shimoda, they negotiated the limits
as to where Americans could roam freely, demanded freedom of movement of Americans
within port limit, and asked for three building for the use of the Americans as
lodgings. The local governor who showed reluctance, however, was not able to
agree because he needed to receive first his instructions from Edo.
On
May 19, 1854, high officials once again boarded the Mississippi, the flagship
of the squadron at that moment. Matsmai Kageyo, a relative of the Daimyo of
Matsumai, visited the squadron and informed them of his status as representative
of the Daimyo who was unavailable. He accepted most of the American demands
except issue of border limits. Only thing they needed to cement the agreement for
Hakodadi was the arrival of the representatives from Edo.
Perry
and the Squadron waited for more than ten days. During that time, they visited
local villages and towns and met with locals. They even learned about the
native Ainus of Yesso Island (Hokkaido). Finally, after more than a week of
waiting, the representatives from Edo, Amma Zhiumnoshin and Hiryama Kenzhiro,
arrived on June 1, 1854. They were supposed to meet the Commodore aboard the flagship
Powhatan at 1 pm, but the representatives disappointingly arrived late. So late
that Perry ordered a company of marine with two cannons to go ashore and show
that they should act honorably and punctually. When the representatives finally
boarded in the afternoon, they reasoned that they were preparing their gifts
for the Commodore and apologized. Perry accepted their apology and the
Americans informed the Japanese representatives of the recent events. The
meeting only happened as a form of formality while many issues were already
concluded except the issue of border limit that would be negotiated in Shimoda.
Return to Shimoda
After
talks with the local official of Hakodadi, Perry returned to Shimoda to discuss
issues not covered in the Kanagawa Treaty. His negotiations with the Japanese
commissioners lasted about two weeks before it took a final conclusion. This
last negotiations in Shimoda and the additional agreements concluded were the
last activities of Perry before leaving Japan and finishing his expedition.
On
June 7, 1854, Perry returned to Shimoda to negotiate with the Japanese commissioners
concerning regulations needed along with the Kanagawa Treaty. Remaining issues
included the border limit of Hakodadi, as
well as jurisdiction on criminal offenses by Americans or by Japanese to
Americans, the cementing of recent demands of buildings dedicated as lodgings
for American travelers among others. The five original commissioners whom Perry
had talk to back in March grew to seven with the addition of Lord Tsudzuki of
Suraga and Takenochi Sheitaro.
During
the talks, the Japanese informed the Americans that Shimoda was elevated to the
position of imperial city with Lord Izawa of Mimasaki and Tzudzuki of Suraga as
governor or bunyo while Kurokawa
Kahiyeyo and Isesin Toheiro worked as lieutenant-governors. Because of its new
status as imperial city and also to show the limits where Americans could move
around, the commissioners informed Perry the government’s plan to erect wall
across the port. Perry agreed.
Most
of the issue were concluded quickly but one remained – the issue of border
limit in Hakodadi. The commissioners always delayed the negotiation on the
issue. Perry proposed 5 Japanese mile or ri but the Japanese rejected it. Few days later, the Japanese
proposed 3 and a half ri but Perry
refused. To the dismay of Perry and his officers, on June 13, 1854 the Japanese
proposed 5 ri from the center of
Hakodadi as limit border.
With
the border limit issue resolved, the two parties then signed an agreement on
additional regulations.
Agreement on Additional Regulations for the
Treaty of Kanagawa
On
June 17, 1854, Commodore Perry and the seven commissioners of the Japanese
Empire signed an agreement binding both parties to additional regulations
relating to the Treaty of Kanagawa. It settled many
issues and cemented the new relation between the United States and Japan. And
ultimately, it marked the end of Commodore Perry’s expedition.
The
additional regulations included 12 articles. The agreement and regulations
allowed Japanese to erect watch towers within Shimoda. It placed Americans
committing crimes under the jurisdiction and authority of their respective ships.
It called for the construction of three ports to cater different vessels coming
to Shimoda. It prohibited Americans from entering to any military
establishments or private houses, but it granted them free access to shops and
temples. It allotted the Rioshen and Yokusen (Gyokusen) temples as temporary lodgings
for Americans. Also part of the article allocated pieces of land from the
respective temples as cemetery for deceased Americans. Because of information
that Hakodadi (Hakodate) lacked coal, the Americans agreed to exempt it
from becoming a coaling station. The agreement made Dutch as a medium of
communication but in case of absence of an interpreter of the said language,
Chinese was to be used. It assigned a harbor master and 3 pilots to maintain the
ports and watch over the ships arriving in Shimoda. It reiterated that any
goods that the American ships would purchase, especially supplies, must be from
the local government office or goyoshi.
Then it banned hunting of animals; and, finally established the border limit of
Hakodadi to 5 ri.
The
agreement expounded the Treaty of Kanagawa. It gave refuge and defined the areas
where American would have freedom to roam and conduct business. For the Japanese, they remained weary over the
deal. Nevertheless, they tried to contain the Americans in one area as a way to
keep them from influencing the rest of the country and disturbing local
politics. But perhaps it was also a chance for them to substantially open their
country and to see the advantages and disadvantages of trade.
Perry’s Departure
By
June 24, 1854, the copies of the regulation was given to Perry. During their
last days, Americans conversed with Japanese officials and talked about issues like the HMS Phaeton back in 1808. The Americans asked
what happened to the governor that faced the British ship. The answer that they
got horrified them as they learned of the governor’s forced suicide or hara kiri while others faced crucifixion
in the most atrocious way. Then the Americans informed them that the arrogant captain of
the ship became an admiral and warned the Japanese of his possible
return to secure a treaty like they did.
On
June 28, 1854, Perry and the whole squadron bid farewell to Japan as they leave
the East Asian Islands. As they leave, they left a country undergoing a
conflict of defining its future.
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Bibliography:
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