After a long journey
from the other side of the world, Perry finally arrived in Japan. Explore the initial contacts between the Japanese and the American squadron.
Arrival to Uraga Bay
In
the afternoon of July 8, 1853, Commodore Matthew C. Perry’s squadron arrived in
Edo (Tokyo) Bay. As they lined up with broad side facing the shore and set there anchors in Uraga Bay, the picturesque beauty of Japan amazed the Americans. On
the other side, the American ships coming in to the bay shocked and dumbfounded
the Japanese. After initial impressions from both sides, talks between the
American and Japanese began.
When
the squadron came to Japan, Perry conducted what became known as gunboat
diplomacy. Gunboat diplomacy utilized armed warships and sailing them near a
strategic area to inflict fear and intimidation. It worked especially against weaker and underdeveloped countries, such as Japan. The weaker
country, fearful and weary, would concede to the demands of a powerful country.
Perry used this tactic with great efficiency.
He planned to intimidate the Japanese with modern steam-powered warships to force them to submit to his demands. He added another factor
of strength and defiance by snubbing the traditional door of Japan for
foreigners – Nagasaki – and sailed directly to the Edo Bay, near the capital of
the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate. In smaller talks, Perry was determined not
to be ordered around by the Japanese. He made sure that they would obey his
rules within the squadron and never back down into sailing to Nagasaki or hand over the letter to a lesser official. He was
prepared to use force in order to achieve his objective of negotiating the
opening of Japan.
And
so, on July 8, 1853, the American Squadron sailed into Uraga Bay around twenty miles
away from capital Edo. The Americans enjoyed the beauty of Japan’s scenery. And
upon their entry of the bay, they had a magnificent view of the amazing peak of
Mt. Fuji. They also observed Japanese reaction to their arrival.
The
Japanese watched in amazement and in horror the arrival of the American
squadron. Fishermen were curious of the weird appearance of the American vessels they dubbed as “black ships” for the color of the
ships’ body. Most saw for the first time huge steam driven warship with its
chimneys producing black smoke and a huge wheel that peddle the vessel. Guard
boats followed the American ships to their destination but the Americans kept them in distance. They watched with alarm along those who guarded the forts around
the bay. The unusual appearance of the ships added to Japanese fears of its
armament’s capability. Many guards would have been dumbfounded as they saw the two steam ships (Susquehanna and Mississippi) towing the two
sailing ships (Saratoga and the Plymouth). When the ships arrived in Uraga Bay,
the people in the shore watched while numerous small boats came near the
black ships.
Initial Meetings
As
black ships anchored in Uraga Bay
in the afternoon of July 8, 1853, local Japanese officials inquired on the
business of the foreigners. Japanese guard boats attempted to board the ships
but the Americans turned them down, notifying them only three local official were
allowed in the flagship Susquehanna. Uraga Vice Governor Nagashima Saboroske with his Dutch interpreter Hori Tatsonoske asked permission to board the
Susquehanna. The Vice Governor received approval to board and received welcome
from the Americans.
Dutch
became a widely used medium between the two parties. Because with Japan’s
contact with the Dutch through Dejima, many Japanese intellectuals learned the
European language. On the side of the Americans they both had Dutch and Chinese
interpreters. From that point on, many discussions between the
two civilizations were conducted in Dutch.
Saboroske
firstly inquired if the foreigners came from the United States to which the
Americans confirmed. For months, the Japanese already anticipated the arrival
of an American squadron from an information given to them by the King of the
Netherlands in a letter. When the Vice Governor and his interpreter came, they
did not met the "Admiral" (as they called Perry due to the word Commodore had no
equivalent in the Japanese language back then). Instead Lieutenant John Contee along with interpreters greeted and talked to them.
Perry
wanted to be highly respected and valued by the Japanese. He only met with
someone equal to his rank in Japan - diplomats appointed by the highest
authority in the land. And so, much of the sideline discussion with Japanese
officials, Perry sent deputies and his captains to deal with them. In this situation, he created an atmosphere of majesty on him.
Back
in the meeting between Saboroske and the Americans, the Vice Governor was notified on the objectives of the American mission to deliver a Presidential
letter to any diplomat appointed by the “Emperor”
and to secure the request stated in it. Saboroske then informed the Americans that
such letter of high diplomatic relevance must be delivered to Nagasaki,
implying to them to leave Uraga and go south. However, the Vice Governor’s
demands were rejected by Perry’s deputies as the Commodore desired.
Nightly Commotions
During the American squadron's first night in Uraga Bay, commotions
and activities buzzed the shores. Lights illuminated the seaside filled with
common folks who wanted to view the black
ships along with government authorities watching for
any signs of hostility. The Americans kept themselves in high alert with
sentries and guns armed and ready. At about 9 pm, the Susquehanna fired a
blank, probably to scare the Japanese, and led to instant extinguishing
of lights in the shoreline.
In the early morning of July 9, 1853, the Americans observed an
astronomical spectacle, which the Commodore viewed as a good omen. A meteor passed northwards, which the American crew and
officers, including Commodore Perry, witnessed as its crimson colored tail of the heavenly body passed by. Perry said to have remarked, “The ancients would have construed this remarkable appearance of the
heavens as a favorable omen for any enterprise they had undertaken, it may be
so construed by use, as we pray God that our present attempt to bring a
singular and isolated people into the family of civilized nations may succeed
without resort to bloodshed.” The event and his remarked revealed the
determination of Commodore Perry.
“Governor” Kayaman Yezaiman Arrived
On
July 9, 1853, Kayaman Yezaiman, played as the governor of Uraga and met with
American officials in the Susquehanna. Yezaiman was not the true governor of
Uraga, Ido Hiromichi was. Governor might have feared for his safety by going to
the Americans or perhaps an emulation of Perry's exclusivity. Nevertheless,
the Americans believed Yezaiman was the governor and even wrote it in the
official narrative of the expedition.
Yezaiman
met with Commander Franklin Buchanan, Commander Henry Adams, and Lieutenant
Contee who served as Commodore Perry’s representatives. Yezaiman received a
warm welcome from the officers and impressed them with his manners. He
then reiterated the demand to the Americans to go to Nagasaki. It failed. He then informed them
that any letter to be handed over outside Nagasaki must first be referred to
Edo for permission, which would take four days. But Perry’s deputies, refused and only gave a three day deadline. After the meeting,
Yezaiman received refreshments from the Americans. He fell in love with their
wine, which in the end of the first arrival the Americans gave him a case as a
gift.
Ido
Hiromichi, the true governor of Uraga, then sent a letter to Edo asking for
instruction on how to deal with the Americans. While they waited, American boats surveyed Uraga Bay to the discomfort of the
Japanese. The Japanese made their frustration known to the Americans but once again ignored and continued to survey as they deemed it as peaceful in nature.
Edo’s Reaction
Meanwhile
in Edo, the government was in disarray. Abe Masahiro the Chief Minister of the
Shogunate faced a dilemma. Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi laid dying in his bed
giving Abe much of the authority. Abe needed to choose whether to concede to
the wishes of the Americans to give a letter in Uraga or to maintain their
position of sending them to Nagasaki. Both, Abe knew, had dire consequences.
Concede to the foreign “barbarians,”
the Shogunate’s policy of isolation would be broken and would cause disgrace
to the government, which might cause a rebellion from nationalistic daimyos. Not
to mention, fears of becoming like the bullied China went to his mind too. But
resist meant confrontation with the American whom he knew their weapon's strength.
Alas, he realized Japan was not fit and strong enough to risk conflict
and decided to concede to the wishes of the Americans to receive the letter in
Uraga Bay.
On
July 12, 1853, as set by the Americans, instructions from Edo arrived. Yezaiman
informed the Americans that the letter would be received in the bay by
commissioners appointed by the “Emperor.” However, Yezaiman did not reveal when
the commissioners would arrive to receive the letter; nevertheless, preparations
in the coast for the venue for the delivery of the letter began. He then
discussed with the Americans other matters concerning the meeting such as the
presentation of the credentials of the commissioners to prove their legitimacy. Other
than that, Perry’s deputies made also clear the intentions of the Commodore not
to wait for the reply of Edo to the letter and instead, would just return around spring of
1854.
Explore also:
Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 6): Delivery of the Letter and End of the First Visit
Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 4): Perry Sailed East
Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 4): Perry Sailed East
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