Western businessmen riding in rickshaw
Austro-Hungarian Emperor from 1848-1916, army colonel at age 13, succeeds after weak uncle Ferdinand and Metternich retire to end 1848 uprisings, a reactionary who rules for 68 yrs.
Commanders “Smith” Lee (brother of Robert E), Francis DuPont and David Porter, who welcome the Japanese delegation bearing the Treaty of Amity in May 1860.
A formidable member of the Japanese military nobility known as the Samurai wearing traditional robes and bearing the wakizashi short sword. His title as “Tycoon of Japan” reflects his position as a tea merchant with connections in China and America.
In 1600 the Battle of Sekigahara ends in victory for the first Shogunate ruler of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu. He selects Edo (Tokyo) as his capital and ruthlessly consolidates his power. Starting in 1635 his successors institute a policy of strict isolationism from the outside (“barbarian”) world, forcing Christian missionaries to leave, banning all foreign visitors except from China, Korea and the Netherlands, and stopping all forms of commerce with western nations. This policy produces internal stability and a booming economy based principally on Japan’s rice, tea and silk industries.
In 1852, the otherwise anodyne President, Millard Fillmore, decides to open Japan’s ports to provide coal fueling stops for US ships in the region and to explore trading opportunities. He selects 58 year old Commodore, Matthew Perry, a hero of the Mexican War to carry out the mission, using force if necessary. Perry forms his East India Squadron and departs from Norfolk on November 24, 1852. After several stops he reaches Naha (Okinawa) on May 17, 1853 and then sails into Edo (Tokyo) Bay on July 8 over local protests. While hoisting a white flag of peace, and bringing gifts for the Emperor, Perry also points his 73 cannon toward the city and fires off blank shells, in theory celebrating Independence Day. Upon landing, presents a letter of introduction and promises to return in 1854.
On March 8, 1854, Perry, along with ten ships and 1600 guns, lands at near Yokohama and signs a treaty, The Convention of Kanagawa which opens two ports to US ships and opens a consulate to explore further commercial affairs. In 1858, a more extensive agreement known as the Treaty of Peace and Amity (or the “Harris Treaty”) is signed and a Japanese delegation arrives with it at the Washington Navy Yard on May 14, 1860. It proves to be one-sided in favor of America and creates lasting resentment among the Japanese.
Of all the industries impacted by the treaty, none matches the American tea market for tea -- and by 1880 nearly half of all the nation’s imported tea comes from Japan.
Japan
Emperor Franz Joseph, Austria
Photography Book
Japanese delegation bringing Amity Treaty to DC in 1860
Japanese soldier
President Buchanan greets the Japanese delegation in the East Room of the White House.
Emperor Hirohito (1901-1989)
Foreigners
A crowd of some 5,000 spectators is on hand at the Navy Yard on May 14, 1860 to greet the 74 man Japanese delegation who have crossed the ocean on an American frigate carrying the signed “Harris Treaty of Peace and Amity.” Their initial hosts are three Navy Commanders, including Sidney (“Smith”) Lee, who captained Admiral Perry’s flagship the USS Mississippi during his initial visit to Edo (Tokyo) in 1853. On May 17 an official gala is held in the East Room of the White House where Ambassador Norimasa and three Samurai elders present the Treaty to President Buchanan.
Stamp: Commodore Matthew Perry who “opened Japan’s ports” to US
Shinto priests in garden -- tinted