The isolation of Japan is a popular topic when it comes to Japanese history. This period lasted for more than two hundred years which makes the question of what caused it to end an equally interesting matter to discuss.
However, a more appropriate question would be to ask who caused Japan to end its isolation policy – a question that can be answered with the name “Commodore Matthew Perry”.
Overview and Basic Facts/Definitions about Commodore Matthew Perry
Commodore Matthew Perry served in numerous wars, of which the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848 serves as the most notable one. He is the one regarded to be responsible for how Japan opened itself to the west through the Kanagawa Convention in 1854.
A lot of historians consider Commodore Matthew Perry’s life to be an extraordinary one, as it was lived in a time when extraordinary changes were afoot. His career as a naval officer brought him to different places across the globe. Being a part of the navy was not uncommon in his family, with his father and brother, Oliver Hazard Perry, also providing their services to the country.
It was during the year 1809 when Matthew Perry was appointed to be a part of the Navy. His first official form of service was onboard the USS Revenge, where his older brother was also present.
Basic Information:
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Birth Name: Matthew Calbraith Perry
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Date and Place of Birth: 10th April 1794; Rhode Island, United States
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Date and Place of Death: 4th March 1858; New York, United States
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Years of Service: from 1809 to 1858
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Units that were Under his Command: Mosquito Fleet, USS Mississippi, New York Navy Yard, USS Fulton, Africa Squadron, USS Shark
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Wars/Battles: Second Battle of Tabasco (June 15, 1847 – June 16, 1847), Third Battle of Tuxpan (June 30, 1847), Second Battle of Tuxpan (June 1847), First Battle of Tuxpan (April 18, 1847), Siege of Veracruz (March 9, 1847 – March 29, 1847), Tampico Expedition (November 15, 1835), First Battle of Tabasco (October 24, 1846 – October 26, 1846), Mexican-American War (April 25, 1846 – February 3, 1848), Japan Expedition (July 1853 – March 1854), Battle of Little Bereby (December 1842), Suppression of the Slave Trade (1819 – 1861), Second Barbary War (June 17, 1815 – June 19, 1815), War of 1812 (June 18, 1812 – February 18, 1815), Little Belt Affair (May 16, 1811)
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Spouse: Jane Slidell Perry
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Family Relations:
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Father – Christopher Perry
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Mother – Sarah Wallace Alexander Perry
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Brothers – Raymond Henry Jones Perry, Oliver Hazard Perry, James Alexander Perry, Nathaniel Hazard Perry
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Sisters – Sarah Wallace Perry, Anna Marie Perry Rodgers, Jane Tweedy Perry Butler
Commodore Matthew Perry Opens Japan – Reasons, Preparations, Etc.
Reasons for the Japan Expedition
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According to historical records, the United States had three main reasons as to why they sent Commodore Matthew Perry to the country of Japan.
The first and most important reason was to use Japan as a base where their steamboats could go to in order to restock their supply of coal. Japan was the ideal place for this purpose because it shared nearly the exact same latitude as that of San Francisco. Although the United States was already using Hawaii as a coaling base at the time, it was believed that an additional base located in the East was necessary.
Secondly, the United States considered an incident many years before that involved the shipwrecked Lagoda unit in Japan. The sailors on board of this whaling ship were apparently treated quite badly and was something the United States did not want to happen again. By opening Japan to the West, they wanted to ensure that all future shipwrecked sailors be treated fairly by the Japanese.
Lastly, the United States wanted to expand their trade routes to bring in more revenue for their states. Furthermore, the significantly diverse practices and goods of Japan and the United States piqued their interests in terms of cultural development and influences.
Preparations for the Japan Expedition
Prior to Commodore Matthew Perry’s Japan Expedition, the country had isolated itself from any outside influences during the 1600s. During this time, the Tokugawa Shogunate had control over Japan and only allowed Dutch ships to land on their shores once a year for trading purposes.
Commodore Matthew Perry was tasked by President Millard Fillmore to lead the expedition in place of Commodore Aulick during the year 1851. He refused to allow any diplomats to join the expedition to avoid ruining its primary intentions.
Before he took charge, Commodore Aulick had already started the preparations, requesting a minimum of three first-class steamboats. His reasons for demanding these ships were for their speed and for intimidating the Japanese community. In addition, he demanded that these units come fully equipped with rockets, explosive shells, and heavy artillery for more effect and to use against the Japanese, if needed.
However, Commodore Matthew Perry found it necessary for even an even larger fleet be used for the expedition and pushed William Graham, the Navy Secretary, to make it possible. Ultimately, the Allegheny, Powhatan, Susquehanna, and Mississippi steamboats were added to the fleet, along with the Vermont which served as the flag ship.
First Visit to Japan
The first visit to Japan occurred on the 8th day of July during 1853. Commodore Matthew Perry headed to Edo, now known as Tokyo, and informed officials of his demands and intentions. He stated how the United States wanted Japan to open its ports to them, how shipwrecked sailors or prisoners were to be treated, and the other reasons for his expedition.
These requests were ultimately rejected by the Japanese government. Commodore Matthew Perry chose to withdraw his fleet, as he knew that this was not the end of his expedition.
Second Visit to Japan
In 1854, on the month of February, Commodore Matthew Perry and his fleet of 3 steamboats, 4 sailing ships, and 7 ships anchored themselves 26 miles away from Edo. The power exuded by his fleet and his threats of shelling the city if his requests were ignored pushed the Japanese to take matters seriously and play nice.
On March 8, 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry landed in Japan to talk about trade and peace with the high-ranking officials. He used the transactions between the United States and China to explain how both parties could benefit from maintaining good relations with each other.
A series of intense negotiations occurred up until March 31, 1854, when the Japanese finally gave in to the demands of the United States and signed the Kanagawa Treaty. This treaty required the Japanese to save shipwrecked sailors from the United States, offer them necessary provisions, and allow American ships to dock at the port of Nagasaki.
Five years from the signing of the treaty, the same conditions would have to be applied in Hakodate and Shimoda. In addition, a consulate of the United States was allowed to be built in Shimoda.
Although the Japanese initially did not agree with the terms for trading, they eventually conceded to the United States, ultimately ending the isolation policy set by the Tokugawa Shogunate.
The Importance of Commodore Matthew Perry’s Expedition on Reestablishing Imperialism in Japan
The Japan Expedition of Commodore Matthew Perry greatly affected the dynamics of Japan’s government, societal hierarchy, and lifestyle.
The Kanagawa Treaty introduced the country to massive amounts of foreign currency which disrupted their own. Unable to stop or at least control the inflation brought about by the influx of foreign money, the Tokugawa Shogunate soon fell out of power. Subsequently, rule over Japan was returned to the emperor during the Meiji Restoration.
Other Western nations such as the Netherlands, France, Russia, and Great Britain also took interest in Japan and had their own treaties signed with the newly opened country. The relations between these foreign countries helped in the final end of the shogunate in 1867.
Summarized Quotes and List of American Gifts taken from Commodore Matthew Perry’s Journal of the Japan Expedition
From 1852 to 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry kept a personal journey where he wrote down all the things and transactions that he encountered throughout his expedition. Some excerpts from his journal include:
The Return to the Bay of Edo
Commodore Matthew Perry states how the Edo Bay was partially composed of the following:
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In the North – Cape Sagami, Kamakura, and Odawara
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In the East – Cape Serafama/Shirahama/King
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In the West – Cape Nagtsuro
He then goes on to discuss the state of his troops and steamboats, as well as his observations of Japan’s shores and ports. The journal also notes how the Japanese were quick to offer their assistance.
Notes regarding the Second Visit of the United States’ Squadron to Japan
Commodore Matthew Perry states how the Macedonian, Vandalia, Lexington, Mississippi, Powhatan, and Susquehanna squadrons arrived in Uraga on February 13, 1854, at roughly two o’clock in the afternoon. He explains how all were ordered to not communicate with anybody from the shore and go straight to the discussed rendezvous place, the American Anchorage.
Initial Negotiations
Commodore Matthew Perry tells of how it did not take much time for members of the government to request for permission to come aboard their ships. He instructed Captain Adams to welcome them on the Powhatan, where he and Perry, Portman, Williams, his secretary, and a few interpreters soon boarded, as well.
According to the journal, the foreign people were of middle rank and were sent by the Emperor to greet them with a friendly welcome and inform them that a meeting at the town of Kamakura is to be expected.
Negotiations were made regarding the venue of the meeting, which Commodore Matthew Perry preferred to be somewhere between the Edo Bay and American Anchorage. Compliments, acts of courtesy, and gifts were offered by the Japanese multiple times after the initial negotiations all the way until the 18th but Commodore Matthew Perry made sure to not concede anything.
He had a note delivered to the upper ranks of the Japanese government which stated his intentions and his request for a reply from someone of proper authority. Ultimately, Captain Adams was sent to meet with the commissioners on the 22nd in Uraga.
The Second Visit to Japan
Commodore Matthew Perry discusses the events of March 8, the day of his second landing in Japan. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by the escort of around five hundred fully armed seamen, officers, and marines, as well as a group of Japanese officials who led him to the conference hall, where the five commissioners waited for him. He sat opposite the chief official.
Acts of courtesy were exchanged before the draft treaty and a letter from the American President was presented by Commodore Matthew Perry to the chief commissioner.
Complete List of American Gifts
- Given to the Emperor
A ¼-scale model of a steam engine, complete with a track and tender/Two sets of telegraphs, complete with insulators, gutta percha wire, 3 miles of wire, and batteries/A lifeboat made of out of copper/A surfboat made out of copper/A collection of agricultural tools/Nine volumes of Audubon’s Birds/Sixteen volumes of the New York’s Natural History/Four volumes of the Annals of Congress/New York’s Laws and Documents/A journal of New York’s Senate and Assembly/Two volumes of the Farmer’s Guide/A series of coast survey charts of the United States/Morris Engineering/A dressing case with a silver top/Eight yards of scarlet velvet and broadcloth/A series of standard weights, balances, bushel, gallon, and yard used by the United States/A quarter of a barrel of Madeira/A barrel of whiskey/A box of maraschino, cherry cordial, and champagne/Three boxes of premium tea/Several maps of different states/Four massive lithographs/A telescope, complete with a stand (boxed)/A stove made out of sheet-iron/A collection of premium perfumes/Five rifles (Hall)/Three muskets (Maynard)/Twelve cavalry swords/Six artillery swords/A carbine/Twenty army pistols (boxed)/A catalogue of the library and post offices of New York/Two mail bags, complete with padlocks.
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Given to the Empress
A silk dress with embroidered flowers/A gilded dressing box for the toilet/Six dozen kinds of perfume
- Given to the Commissioner Hayashi
Audubon’s Quadrupeds/Four yards of scarletbroadcloth/A clock/A stove/A rifle/A collection of Chinaware/A tea set/A revolver, complete with powder/Two dozen kinds of perfume/Twenty gallons of whiskey/A sword/Three boxes of premium tea/A box of champagne/A box of even more premium tea
- Given to the Five Councilors (Each)
A book/Ten gallons of whiskey/A lithography/A clock/A revolver/A rifle/A sword/Twelve kinds of perfume
- Given to Abe, the First Councilor and the Prince of Ise
A lifeboat made out of copper/Kendall’s History of the Mexican War/Ripley’s The War with Mexico/A box of champagne/Three boxes of premium tea/Twenty gallons of whiskey/A clock/A stove/A rifle/A revolver, complete with powder/A sword/Two dozen kinds of perfume/Four yards of scarlet broadcloth
- Given to Ido, the Second Commissioner and the Prince of Tsushima
A Dictionary by Appleton/Nine kinds of perfume/New Orlean’s lithograph/Five gallons of whiskey/A box of tea/A clock/A revolver/A rifle/A sword/A box of cherry cordial
- Given to Izawa, the Third Commissioner and the Prince of Mimisaki
A scaled model of a lifeboat/An image of the steamboat, Atlantic/Five gallons of whiskey/A rifle/A revolver/A clock/A sword/Nine kinds of perfume/A box of cherry cordial/A box of tea/A howitzer made out of brass/Carriages made out of brass
- Given to Udono, the Fourth Commissioner
A list of the United States’ post offices/A box of tea/An elephant lithograph/Nine kinds of perfume/A rifle/A revolver/A clock/A sword/Five gallons of whiskey/A box of cherry cordial
- Given to Michitaro Matsuzaki, the Fifth Commissioner
A steamboat lithograph//A box of tea/Six kinds of perfume/A revolver/A clock/A sword/Five gallons of whiskey/A box of cherry cordial