Not only those who love history, but also those who are not very interested in history may have heard "Perry" . And "Kurofune" ..
"Open the country!" That's what the big American American said to the Japanese people with Kurofune in the background.
In a modern sense, suddenly “ UFOs are coming in, and aliens are here! !! ” It seems that it is like that. Is it a feeling between "fear" and "curiosity"?
Then, this time, Matthew Perry who appeared with Kurofune and opened the country to Japan. I will introduce about.
Perry is the father of the Steamship Navy!
1794, Born in Rhode Island (towards the northeastern tip of North America) as the third son.
14 years old Enter the Navy 18 years old With his eldest son Perry and second son Perry " War of 1812 " I participated in.
Around 40 Became Shipyard Director And built a steamship, Navy Colonel I will climb up to.
Focusing on strengthening and educating the Navy on steamships, "Father of the Steamship Navy" It is praised as. He is a pioneer in naval education.
Americans really like "father". The inventor, Edison, is also called the "father of the movie."
And to Japan!
Around 59 years old in 1853 , The Kurofune carrying Mr. Perry finally appeared in Uraga (Kanagawa Prefecture), Japan.
Height 195cm Big man, “bear father” A loud owner who was nicknamed such as, appeared.
Mr. Perry thought that it would be better to show the Japanese a big steamship up close and show the military power of the modern nation in favor of negotiations with that fear.
Then, because the Netherlands could get in the way, I avoided Nagasaki and landed in Uraga.
At this time, "Opening the country!" I just said that I'm back once.
About half a year later, 1854, Landed in Japan again " Convention of Kanagawa Was tied.
However, this treaty is not so difficult, and "Open Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture) and Hakodate!" in Japan, which had been isolated. That was the main content.
The reason is that the United States needed a Pacific route for trade with Qing (China) and East Asia. However, the steamships at that time did not have enough fuel, so we needed a Japanese port on the way.
For Japan, this event is "Bakumatsu" from this time. It was a big incident that started from Edo to the Meiji era. However, from the American side, it's just “ The path I just wanted a refueling place ” That's how it was. Hmm.
And 4 years later , Harris from America again " Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Commerce " Is very for Japan Unfavorable Treaty It becomes.
This time, I will omit the "Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Commerce" because it is Mr. Perry's story.
In the history test, you were troubled by the "Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Commerce" and the "Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Commerce." He said "Shukou Shukou Treaty".
Kurofune visits Okinawa! ??
On the way to Uraga, Ryukyu Kingdom
(Okinawa) I'm asking for the opening of the port as well.
Just as Japan signed the "Japan-US Friendship Treaty", " Ryu-American Friendship Treaty " Tie. Similarly, free trade is the main content.
The Ryukyu Kingdom is a small country that has built its own kingdom for 450 years.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi During his time, he was attacked by the Satsuma Domain (Kagoshima Prefecture).
Since the Meiji era, the Ryukyu Kingdom has been from Japan "Change the country name to the Ryukyu Domain (Okinawa Prefecture)!" I continued to refuse the order, but by using Japanese force, I will obey it.
I was trying to get the help of the Qing dynasty, but Sino-Japanese War After Japan won, the territory of the Ryukyu Kingdom became Japanese.
Perry in his later years
In Japan, Mr. Perry runs a model of a steam locomotive that is a quarter of the size, draws an electric wire for about 1 km, and demonstrates a telegraph. The Japanese people were surprised at the machine that could send words in an instant.
Mr. Perry, however, is in 1858, just four years after he signed a treaty with Japan . Death in New York I did. He was 63 years old.
If Perry didn't request the opening of the country ⁉︎
Anyone can imagine this, right?
Japan is still a chonmage.
That's not true. Is it simply that the Meiji era was late?
However, since the Edo Shogunate listened to what foreign countries say, I think that the war with foreign countries could be avoided. A war has occurred in Japan, but I think it is a good decision of the Shogunate as a result.
If Japan had stubbornly penetrated the seclusion, there might still have been a sword in this age when the Internet was rampant.
There are still many tribes, so it may have been called the Chonmage tribe.
Summary
Everyone in Japan knows Perry, but I think he could know how he lived in the United States. It was a crunchy navy.
For Perry, you wouldn't have dreamed that most Japanese would know your name.
It was such a big incident for Japan. Perry!