The Polynesian Reports: Arrival of the Japanese Embassy to Honolulu

The Polynesian: Saturday, March 10, 1860, Page 2.

The arrival of the Japanese Embassy to the President of the United States, on board of the American steam frigate Powhatan, on Monday last, has imparted animation and topics of talk to the social circles of Honolulu. The Embassy, in conformity with the principle of political organization of that country, consists of two principal Ambassadors, Princes of the highest rank among the nobility of the Empire, and their Associates, nobles of nearly equal rank with themselves; these four, accompanied by a suite of sixteen officers and fifty-two of lower grade, landed on Monday and proceeded to the French Hotel, where they spent their first night in a foreign land. The following morning the Embassy removed its quarters to the Dudoit House, which had been engaged and refurbished by his Majesty, and his carriages placed at their disposal, an act of courtesy as well to the Sovereign from whom the Ambassadors are coming, as to the President to whom they are going.

Quick, intelligent and inquisitive, the curiosity of these visitors is constant and vivacious. Every object that is new to them is inspected, inquired into, described and sketched –for a draughtsman of very superior ability accompanies the Embassy for the purpose of furnishing the Official Report with the necessary illustrations; a curious counterpart, no doubt, if ever made public, to the splendid official edition of Commodore Perry’s expedition to Japan. Polite, affable and patient with the curiosity of our people in their regard, they draw freely on the same good qualities in others.

That the Japanese Empire has rescinded its policy of seclusion and entered once more into the family of nations, is one of those peaceful achievements that will redound more lasting glory, more solid profit to the United States, more wide-spread benefits to the world in general, than any other public acts beyond the borders of the Union, since the Declaration of Independence. And the confidence as well as the preference shown by the Emperor of Japan, in selecting the United States as the first country with which, and through which, to introduce his Ambassadors to that unknown world which clamored for his acquaintance, will not be lost upon a people so sensible to their own interests, so sensitive to the point of honor as the Americans.

The following is the list of the personnel of the Japanese Embassy:

Simme-bujen-no-kami, First Ambassador

Muragake-Awage-no-kami, Second Ambassador

Ogure-Bungo-no-kami, 1^st Associate and Remembrancer

Morita Okataro, Vice-Governor of Yeddo, 2^nd Associate and Treasurer

Naruse Gensiro, Skahara Jhugoro, Officers of the 1^st rank belonging to the Ambassadors

Hetaka Keisaburo, Osakabe Tetstaro, Officers of the 1^st rank belonging to the 1^st Associate and Remembrancer

Matsmoto Sannojiro, Yosida Sagosaimou, Under Officers belonging to the Ambassadors

Masuda Sunjuro, Tuge Hosingoro, Under Officers of the Vice-Governor

Kuri-sima-hico-hatsiro, Sewosawa-Scogero, Under officers of the 1^st Associate, etc.

Namura Gohatsiro, Tateish Tokujiro, Tateish Onagero, Interpreters

Meodake, Morayama, Cowasaki, Doctors

On Thursday last Admiral Tatnall and suite, and the Japanese Ambassadors and their suite, accompanied by the U.S. Commissioner Hon. J.W. Borden, made a call if etiquette on His Majesty’s residence of H.R.H. Prince Kamehameha, adjoining the Palace grounds. The Admiral and the Ambassadors were severally introduced to H.R.H. the Prince, to the Chancellor and Chief Justice Mr. Allen, the Minister of Foreign Relations, Mr. Wyllie, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Gregg. On retiring the Ambassadors, according to the custom of their country, made presents to the Ministers of several articles of value.