Kurofune, ( The Black ships )

In 1543 Portuguese initiated the first contacts, establishing a trade route linking Goa to Nagasaki in Japan. The large carracks engaged in this trade had the hull painted black with pitch, and the term came to name all western vessels. In 1639, after suppressing a rebellion blamed on the Christian influence, the ruling Tokugawa shogunate retreated in an isolationist policy, the Sakoku ( "Locked country"). During this “locked state” contact of Japan with Westerners was restricted to Dejima Island by Nagasaki. In 1844, William II of the Netherlands urged Japan to open, but was rejected.

On July 8, 1853, the U.S. Navy with four warships steamed into the bay at Edo, requesting that Japan open to trade with the West. Their arrival marked the reopening of the country after more than two hundred years of self-imposed isolation.In particular, Kurofune refers to Mississippi, Plymouth, Saratoga, and Susquehanna, that arrived on July 14, 1853 at Uraga Harbor (part of present-day Yokosuka) in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan under the command of United States Commodore Matthew Perry. Black refers to the black color of the older sailing vessels, and the black smoke from the coal-fired power plants of the American ships. In this sense, the Kurofune became a symbol of the ending of isolation.

 Perry, Matthew C

Born April 10, 1794, South Kingston, R.I, U.S. Died March 4, 1858, New York City U.S. naval officer who headed an expedition that force Japan in 1853-54 to enter into Trade and diplomatic relation with the West after more than two centuries of isolation. Through his efforts the United States became an equal power with Britain, France, and Russia in the economic exploitation of East Asia .In the interim, the Japanese, who were aware of China’s recent defeat by the Technologically superior Western power in the Opium War (1838-42), decided to Agree to Perry’s terms as a way of stalling for time while they improved their defenses. In February 1854 here appeared in Edo (modern Tokyo) Bay this time with nine Ships and on March 31 concluded the first treaty between the two countries. The pact Assured better treatment of shipwrecked seamen permitted US. Ships to obtain fuel And supplies at two minor ports, arranged for a U.S. consul to reside at Simoda, and Opened the way for further U.S. trading privileges. Perry’s success demonstrated the Inability of the Shogun, Japan’s hereditary military dictator, enforce his country’s Traditional isolationist policy, the Japanese were soon forced to sign similar treaties with Other Western nations. There events contributed to the collapse of the shogun ate and ultimately to the modernization of Japan.

Shimoda, Map
During the Bakumatu "Late Tokugawa Shogun", Shimoda port was opened to American trade under the conditions of the convention of Kanazawa, negotiated by Commodore Matthew C Perry and signed on March 31, 1854. Shimoda was also the site of Yoshida Shoin's unsuccessful attempt to board Perry's  Kurofune in 1854.

When Commodore's four-ship squadron appeared in Edo Bay (Tokyo Bay) in July 1853, the bakufu (Shogunate) was thrown into turmoil. Commodore Perry was fully prepared for hostilities if his negotiations with the Japanese failed, and threatened to open fire if the Japanese refused to negotiate. He remitted two white flags to them, telling them to hoist the flags when they wished a bombardment from his fleet to cease and to surrender. To demonstrate his weapons Perry ordered his ships to attack several buildings around the harbor. The ships of Perry were equipped with new Paixhans gun capable of bringing destruction everywhere a shell landed.

Treaty of Kanagawa, March, 31, 1854

The United States of America and the empire of Japan, desiring to establish firm, lasting and sincere friendship between the two nations, have resolved to fix, in a manner clear and positive by means of a treaty or general convention of peace and amity, the rules which shall in future be mutually observed in the intercourse of their respective countries; for which most desirable object the President of the United States has conferred full powers on his commissioner, Matthew Calbraith Perry, special ambassador of the United States to Japan and the august sovereign of Japan has given similar full powers to his commissioners, Hayashi-Daigaku-no-kami, Ido, Prince of Tsus-Sima; Izawa, Prince of Mmimasaki; and Udono, member of the Board of Revenue. ............................................

Geisa on the ship.

The Modernization of Japan,

Ueno Zoological Garden Japanese Ueno Dxbutsuen, oldest and most famous zoological garden in Japan. It was founded in 1882, and its administration was transferred to the Tokyo city government in 1924. Occupying a 32-acre (13-hectare) site in the Uenodistrict of Tokyo, it is landscaped in traditional Japanese style. The zoo saw much damage in World War II but was rebuilt within 10 years, mainly along prewar lines. A modernization program was pursued in the late 20th century. Among the renovated buildings are an elephant house (1968), a big-cat house (1974), and an aquarium (1964), which has special exhibits of goldfish and jellyfish and also houses reptiles. The Ueno Zoological Garden has about 8,860 specimens representing some 960 species, including the rare giant salamander and breeding groups of several rare pheasants and wallabies. The zoo emphasizes public education and sponsors active research on zoo animal husbandry and reproduction.

Meiji

Meiji Restoration in Japanese history, the political revolution that brought about the fall of theTokugawa Shogunate and returned control of the country to direct Imperial rule under the emperor Meiji, beginning an era of major political, economic, and social change known as the Meiji period (1868?1912). This revolution brought about the modernization and Westernization of Japan. The leaders of the restoration, mostly young samurai from feudal domains historically hostile to Tokugawa authority, were motivated by growing domestic problems and the threat of foreign encroachment. Adopting the slogan? Wealthy country and strong arms? (fukoku-kyxhei), they sought to create a nation-state capable of standing equal among Western powers. As expressed in the Charter Oath of 1868, the first goal of the new government, relocated to Tokyo (formerlyEdo), was the dismantling of the old feudal regime. This was largely accomplished by 1871, when the domains were officially abolished and replaced.

By a prefecture system. All feudal class privileges were also abolished. In the same year a national army was formed, which was further strengthened in 1873by a universal conscription law. The new government also carried out policies to unify the monetary and tax systems, with the agricultural tax reform of 1873providing its primary source of income. The revolutionary changes carried out by restoration leaders acting in the name of the emperor faced increasing opposition in the mid-1870s. Disgruntled samurai participated in several rebellions against the government, the most famous being led by the former restoration hero Saigo Takamori. These uprisings were repressed only with great difficulty by the newly formed army. Peasants, distrustful of the new regime and dissatisfied by its agrarian policies, also took part in revolts that reached their peak in the 1880s. At the same time, a growing popular rights movement, encouraged by the introduction of liberal Western ideas, called for the creation of a constitutional government and wider participation through deliberative assemblies. Responding to these pressures, the government issued a statement in 1881 promising a constitution by 1890. In1885 a Cabinet system was formed, and in 1886 work on the constitution began. Finally in 1889 the constitution, presented as a gift from the emperor to the people, was officially promulgated. It established a bicameral parliament, called the Diet (gikai), to be elected through a limited voting franchise. The first Diet was convened the following year, 1890.

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