Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Richard Dana in Japan

Honolulu’s Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured an excerpt of a letter by the Massachusetts-born noted lawyer and politician Richard H. Dana, Jr., on October 4, 1860. Dana visited Japan and other locations around the world, including the Hawaiian Islands. He was the author of the American classic ‘Two Years Before the Mast.’ The news piece is posted below:

A letter from Richard H. Dana, Jr., in Japan, gives an interesting account of the religion of that peculiar people:

“The two great religious systems of Japan are Buddhism, an East India exotic, but the most influential, and the Sin Syn, the ancient national faith. These are said to exfoliate into thirty or more sects. The number of points presented has probably dissipated the electricity of theological controversy. They do not indulge in polemics, but agree in demanding the utter exclusion of Christianity. I saw none of those signs of decay and neglect about their temples which one so often meets with in China. The buildings are in good repair, the floors well-matted, the worshippers numerous, and the worship decent and grave. Neither here nor in China have the idolatries any traces of bloody or obscene rites. There is no instruction connected with public worship. It consists in unbloody offerings, a chanting of a few words of almost unknown signification to the priests themselves, counting of beads on a rosary, accompanied by dull beating of gongs, kneelings and prostrations, and processions, and burning of tapers and incense sticks. They have fasts and festivals for all ages, classes and purposes, which, I suspect, possess a strong hold on the people.

“Missionaries, strictly speaking, there are none. Since the utter extermination of Christianity in blood and fire, in the seventeenth century, missionaries have been prohibited. By the late treaties, they allow foreigners to build churches and practice their worship within the limits assigned for their residence; but they –tolerate no preaching or teaching to the natives, nor the circulation of religious books. The people at home must not delude themselves into the belief that, any strictly missionary work is doing or can be done in Japan. No clergymen; men who can master the language and literature of Japan, get an insight into the genius of its institutions, gain personal influence, remove prejudices, and prepare the way for the future.”

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Steamer Kanrin Maru Arrives in Japan from Honolulu

Japan (Arrival of Kanrin Maru to Japan)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser: October 4, 1860

Dates from Kanagawa are to July 25^th. The Japanese steam Kandrinmarrah had arrived after a passage of 18 days from Honolulu. From the Americans who came in her we learned that the Japanese conducted themselves admirably on board, taking the positon of the vessel daily by the sun, and brought her, in seamanlike manner, into this bay without incident. The appearance of the steamer, from America, with news from the Ambassadors, created a great excitement both amongst the Americans and Japanese. The foreigners were anxious to hear how the Japanese had been received in America, and the Japanese were fearful lest the Ambassadors would not servive (survive) the great trip across the pond. However, all doubts were dispelled when the great mail for distributed. – Cor. Alta.

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: The Japanese Depart for Japan

Honolulu’s Pacific Commercial Advertiser reported the departure of the Japanese Embassy in the August 30, 1860 edition:

DEPARTURE OF THE JAPANESE – On Friday last the Japanese Ambassadors, with their suite, whose sojourn has been the occasion of so much excitement and interest, went on board the U.S. steam frigate Niagara, which sailed on Saturday for Japan direct.

Their visit is regarded as having special interest in a commercial point of view, the chief object of the late treaty being the opening of commercial intercourse with an empire which has long been shut out from trade with the greater part of the world.

The cost of the Japanese in Washington and entertaining their thirty-six days stay, amounted to $14,000. The cost of entertaining the Japanese in Philadelphia for seven days, amounted to $15,000. The cost of the Embassy in New York seven days was over $100,000 of which $15,000 was for wines alone!

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: The Japanese Arrive in Washington, D.C.

Honolulu’s Pacific Commercial Advertiser reported the arrival of the Japanese Embassy in the Wednesday, July 18, 1860 edition:

THE JAPANESE – The Japanese Embassy arrived at Washington, May 14^th, and on the 16^th were formally received by the President. The ceremonies were of a more than usual imposing character, and were witnessed by a great number of people. The speech of the chief Prince expressed the desire of the Tycoon of Japan to continue on friendly relations with our government. The President’s response promised faithful adherence to the treaty, and most cordial feelings towards Japan. All the members of the cabinet, Gen. Scott and others were introduced.

At the latest dates, they appeared to be getting tired of their stay in America. They have requested that they might be spared from attending balls or going out after dark. When the heard of the accident to the Niagara, which had been detailed to take them home, but returned with her shaft broken, they thought it was a ruse to detain them forcibly in this country, and were much alarmed. They are homesick, and do not exhibit their former desire to see Northern cities. It is possible their suspicions and fears may seriously interfere with the arrangements made for their visit North.

Among the magnificent presents to the Japanese from the government as well as individuals, the President has directed that there should be struck off a splendid medal at the U.S. Mint, in Philadelphia, in honor of the visit of the Orientals to this republic. The order and design have been promptly executed under the superintendence of Col. J.R. Snowden, director of the Mint. The medal, which is about the size of the old American silver dollar, bears a beautiful likeness of Mr. Buchanan, and on the reverse an appropriate inscription. Three of these medals have been struck in gold, thirty in silver, and one hundred in copper.

Cross-cultural Camera: Photography and the 1860 Japanese Embassy

I was perusing the Internet where I found this link to the American Museum of Photography. (picture credit)

It's interesting to note how the invention and development of photography helped bridge east and west. So, the timing of the Japanese Embassy's journey to the USA via the Hawaiian Islands is fortuitous.

This link takes online visitors to the section on the 1860 Embassy, focusing particularly on Tateishi Onojiro Noriyuki, known to many as "Tommy." The photos featured here were by renowned photographer Charles D. Fredricks of New York City.

So far I've not found any evidence that photographers were present when the Japanese Embassy and the officers and crew of the U.S. Powhatan stopped in Honolulu in March, 1860.

Pray for Japan...

Japanese Bow to Queen Emma, Western Women and Hoop Skirts in Hawaii

I happened to find this article in the August 16, 1860 edition of Honolulu's Pacific Commercial Advertiser.

Apparently this story is quoted from a story that appeared in the New York Journal of Commerce. It refers to the meeting of the Japanese ambassadorial delegation with Queen Emma along with notable (but unnamed in the story) English and American ladies in Honolulu. Queen Emma would have been the first female head of state to be bowed to by the Japanese.

It also records the first time the visiting Japanese encountered what we call hoop skirts worn by women in those days:

The Japanese in Honolulu.

Pacific Commercial Advertiser: August 16, 1860

The following is related, by the correspondent of the N.Y. Journal of Commerce, of the reception of the Japanese during their stay here:

“Her Majesty the Queen entered the throne-room, all the gentlemen having withdrawn into the ante room, accompanied by her ladies of honor, most of whom were Americans or English, the King’s sister, Victoria, taking a position on the left of the throne. The Queen is young, and rather stout in form; but of an intelligent and agreeable face, and speaks English with perfect facility, as she is bound to do, since her father was an Englishman, though her mother was a native.

“The American party was first presented, when the Japanese ambassadors were called upon to pass the unknown ordeal. All of us were wide-awake to see how their spirit would stand this. They had never bowed to a woman; never had they seen a woman on the throne; seldom if ever they had seen a woman in a public assembly. As much as they were confounded by the dress her majesty wore, so unlike to that of Japanese ladies whose silken robes, as well as those of the men, avoid all waste of cloth, by conforming to natural proportions, and not seeking balloon inflation. The hoops and crinoline of the Queen of the Sandwich Islands would have driven the most ambitious Broadway ladies to desperation.

“When some of the members of the Japanese suite first came ashore and wandered through the streets, and the first time saw ladies wearing such dresses they were utterly confounded, thinking they were only equal to the solid bodies, which filled them! Such women, English and American! They had never dreamt of it!

“One of them in his simplicity, not in disrespect or indelicacy, was prompted to touch the side of one of the walking balloons, when yielding to the gentle pressure it caved in, and the Japanese saw that, as all is not gold which shines, so all is not woman that moves. Amazed and amused, the good natured and facetious Japanese burst into shouts of laughter.”