First Embassy to the United

States

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Japanese View of the First

Japanese Em-bassy to the

United States of America

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American View of the First

Japanese Em-bassy to the

United States of America

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Political Cartoon

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Inside This Newspaper

First Embassy to the United States By Allen Khai

Terry Lau

March 31, 1860 First Issue

Japan had the closed door policy, which started to affect the world from 1637 to 1854. They stopped trade with all but the Dutch. The Japanese did this because they were self-sufficient, and as a re-sult they became isolated. When the Japanese saw that American black ships commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry were pow-ered by steam engine, they realized that they were not modernized. They then began to modernize and were the first embassy that came to the United States of America.

The Japanese had a closed door policy during the Tokugawa period from 1603 to 1868. On July 8, 1853, four black ships that were commanded by Commodore

Matthew Perry went to Japan, and the Japanese were shocked at how behind they were in technology. In March of 1854, representatives of Japan and the United States negotiated reopening Japan's door, and after months of negotiations the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed. The treaty was signed after Perry threatened the Tokugawa with war if the Japanese did not open their doors and let him dock his ships. The shogunate signed the treaty because they knew that they were far be-hind in technology and did not want to end up like China, which lost to the British in the Opium War from 1840 to 1842.

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The MUTZ

March 31, 1860 (Continued From Pg.1) Instead of trading with just the Dutch when they had the closed door policy, they could now trade with anyone. The Japanese began to modernize because they did not want to be left behind in technology, and they did not want to be invaded by anyone. Japan began to modernize and learn the ways of the west. They sent representatives to America. When the Japanese arrived in America, their English was not good and there were not many translators. Also, the Japanese were not used to the American food, and the Samurai were not used to sleeping on mattresses because they slept on thin pads in Japan. In America, they visited Hawaii, Washington D.C, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The Japanese were really impressed by the technologies the Americans had, especially the railroads.

The Japanese visit was a great event for the Americans. The Americans wanted to im-press the Japanese because they believed that the Japanese were great trading partners. The United States Congress provided $50,000 to the Japanese so that they could have a great time in America. The Americans were impressed by Japanese traditional clothing, hairstyle, and

Samurais who came to America. However, while there were a lot of people who enjoyed the Japa-nese’s company, some treated the Japanese poorly. Some Japanese translators heard some insults di-rected to the Japanese in the streets.

The Japanese did not really like the treaty agreements because they were not really successful with it and the Americans favored it. However, they got some achievements out of it. They realized that they were behind in technology and began to mod-ernize. The Americans forced the Japanese to open

their doors. Japan did not want to open their doors because they believed they were self-sufficient. The Japanese had fun coming to America because they got to see how advanced the Americans were, but they were discriminated against. They realized that the treaty was primar-ily for America’s needs. Now the Japanese began to modernize.

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The View of the First Japanese Embassy to the United States of America By Robert Dao

American View of the First Japanese Embassy to the United States of America

First Issue Page 3

We have no choice but to open our doors of trade. The Tokugawa Shogunate is threatened by war. Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy will attack us if we do not comply. It seems like they are forcing their way into our country. However, the Commodore’s ships are impressive. I am shocked to see how far behind we are in technology. Maybe this opening of our trade is not as bad as it seems. It is not like our only trade with the Dutch is not enough. We need to modernize. An embassy to the United States of Amer-ica will be made to study their attributes as to learn of more efficient ways of life, but in exchange of knowl-edge, we must trade with the Americans in their favor.

Japanese View of the First Japanese Embassy to the United States of America

As Americans, we would like to announce that we have successfully opened Japan’s doors of trade. We will now be in an open trade with them. Negotiations have been made between Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy with his “Black Ships” and the Tokugawa Shogunate and have signed the Treaty of Kanagawa. In exchange for trade, Japan will be touring the almighty America! They will be visiting San Fran-cisco, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. They have so much to see. The newly built transcontinental railroad will be sure to impress. The United States Congress will provide $50,000 for their enjoyment as this is a very important event.

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Political Cartoon

This cartoon shows that the Americans are selling their uni-forms to the Japanese.

Lady Liberty opens Japanese doors