Treaty of Kanagawa
3/31/1854
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On March 31, 1854, the first treaty between Japan and the United States was signed. The Treaty was the result of an encounter between an elaborately planned mission to open Japan and an unwavering policy by Japan's government of forbidding commerce with foreign nations. Two nations regarding each other as "barbarians" found a way to reach agreement.
The United States Government was determined to take the lead in bringing Japan's two-century-old policy of self-imposed isolation to a close. The Fillmore administration sent Commodore Matthew C. Perry and a small fleet of sloops and the latest steam-powered ships to go to Edo (Tokyo) Bay to insist on a treaty that would protect the rights of American whalers, provide for coaling ports, and eventually lead to trade.
Perry achieved two of his three central objectives by improving America's access to strategic energy resources. He succeeded in getting two coaling ports for the Navy's new steamships and in protecting America's oil workers (the whalers). He did not, however, open Japan to trade. It wasn't until 1858 that the U.S. Consul at last achieved Perry's final objective: establishing a commercial treaty.
One interesting feature is the omission of a Japanese signature on the English language version of the treaty. Perry's letter to the Navy Secretary, also in the holdings of the Archives, offers an explanation: "It will be observed that the practice usually pursued in affixing signatures to treaties was departed from on this occasion, and for reason assigned by the Japanese, that their laws forbade the subjects of the Empire from putting their names to any document written in a foreign language." The missing signature demonstrates that Perry's determination to achieve mission objectives was tempered by a willingness to compromise on issues of custom.
The seeds of tensions and conflicts which would figure prominently in the first century of the Japanese-American relationship are evident in the Treaty of Kanagawa . Yet in the fact that warrior/diplomats on both sides were able to put aside their cannons and swords long enough to reach this accord, we also see the potential for two cultures to find mutual understanding, and we find the roots of a peaceful strategic alliance that has lasted for more than 50 years.
The United States Government was determined to take the lead in bringing Japan's two-century-old policy of self-imposed isolation to a close. The Fillmore administration sent Commodore Matthew C. Perry and a small fleet of sloops and the latest steam-powered ships to go to Edo (Tokyo) Bay to insist on a treaty that would protect the rights of American whalers, provide for coaling ports, and eventually lead to trade.
Perry achieved two of his three central objectives by improving America's access to strategic energy resources. He succeeded in getting two coaling ports for the Navy's new steamships and in protecting America's oil workers (the whalers). He did not, however, open Japan to trade. It wasn't until 1858 that the U.S. Consul at last achieved Perry's final objective: establishing a commercial treaty.
One interesting feature is the omission of a Japanese signature on the English language version of the treaty. Perry's letter to the Navy Secretary, also in the holdings of the Archives, offers an explanation: "It will be observed that the practice usually pursued in affixing signatures to treaties was departed from on this occasion, and for reason assigned by the Japanese, that their laws forbade the subjects of the Empire from putting their names to any document written in a foreign language." The missing signature demonstrates that Perry's determination to achieve mission objectives was tempered by a willingness to compromise on issues of custom.
The seeds of tensions and conflicts which would figure prominently in the first century of the Japanese-American relationship are evident in the Treaty of Kanagawa . Yet in the fact that warrior/diplomats on both sides were able to put aside their cannons and swords long enough to reach this accord, we also see the potential for two cultures to find mutual understanding, and we find the roots of a peaceful strategic alliance that has lasted for more than 50 years.
Transcript
1The United States of America, and the Empire of Japan, desiring to establish firm, lasting and sincere friendship between the two Nations, have resolved to fix in a manner clear and positive, by means of a Treaty or general convention of peace and amity, the rules which shall in future be mutually observed in the intercourse of their respective Countries; for which most desirable object, the President of the United States has conferred full powers on his commissioner, Matthew Calbraith Perry, Special Ambassador of the United States to Japan: And the August Sovereign of Japan, has given similar full powers to his Commissioners, Hayashi Dai-gaku no-Kami; Ido, Prince of Tsus-Sima; Izawa, Prince of Mima-saki; and Udono, Member of the Board of Revenue. And the said Commissioners after having exchanged their said full powers, and duly considered the premises, have agreed to the following Articles.
2.
Article I.
There shall be a perfect, permanent, and universal peace, and a sincere and cordial amity between the United States of America, on the one part, and the Empire of Japan on the other part; and between their people respectively, without exception of persons or places.
Article II.
The Port of Simoda in the principality of Idzu, and the Port of Hakodade, in the principality of Matsmai, are granted by the Japanese as ports for the reception of American Ships, where they can be supplied with Wood, Water, provisions, and Coal, and other articles their necessities may require as far as the Japanese have them. The time for opening the first named Port is immediately on signing this Treaty; the last named Port is to be opened immediately after the same day in the ensuing Japanese Year.
[underline] Note. [end underline] A tariff of prices shall be given by the Japanese Officers of the things which they can furnish, payment for which shall be made in Gold and Silver Coin.
3.
Article III.
Whenever Ships of the United States are thrown or wrecked on the Coast of Japan, the Japanese vessels will assist them and carry their crews to Simoda, or Hakodade, and hand them over to their Countrymen appointed to receive them; whatever articles the Shipwrecked men may have preserved shall likewise be restored, and the expenses incurred in the rescue and support of Americans and Japanese who may thus be thrown upon the shores of either nation are not to be refunded.
[handwritten] p.573 [end handwritten]
Article IV.
Those Shipwrecked persons and other Citizens of the United States shall be free as in other Countries, and not subjected to confinement, but shall be amenable to just laws.
Article V.
Shipwrecked men and other Citizens of the United States, temporarily living at Simoda and Hakodade shall not be subject to such restrictions and confinement as the Dutch and Chinese are
4.
at Nagasaki, but shall be free at Simoda to go where they please within the limits of Seven Japanese miles (or Ri.) from a small Island in the harbor of Simoda, marked on the accompanying Chart, hereto appended:- and shall in like manner be free to go where they please at Hakodade, within limits to be defined after the visit of the United States Squadron to that place.
Article VI
If there be any sort of goods wanted, or any business which shall require to be arranged, there shall be careful deliberation between the parties in order to settle such matters.
Article VII.
It is agreed that Ships of the United States resorting to the ports open to them, shall be permitted to exchange Gold and Silver Coin and articles of goods, under such regulations as shall be temporarily established by the Japanese Government for that purpose. It is stipulated however that the Ships
5.
of the United States shall be permitted to carry away whatever articles they are unwilling to exchange.
Article VIII.
Wood, water, provisions, Coal and goods required shall only be procured through the agency of Japanese Officers appointed for that purpose, and in no other manner.
Article IX.
It is agreed, that if at any future day, the government of Japan shall grant to any other Nation or Nations privileges and advantages which are not herein granted to the United States and the Citizens thereof, that these same privileges and advantages shall be granted likewise to the United States, and to the Citizens thereof, without any consultation or delay.
Article X.
Ships of the United States shall be permitted to resort to no other ports in Japan but Simoda and Hakodade unless in distress or forced by stress of weather.
6.
Article XI.
[Line drawn down the left of this Article]
There shall be appointed by the Government of the United States, Consuls or Agents to reside at Simoda at any time after the expiration of Eighteen months from the date of the Signing of this Treaty, provided that either of the two governments deem such arrangement necessary.
Article XII.
The present Convention having been concluded and duly Signed, shall be the obligatory and faithfully observed by the United States of America and Japan, and by the Citizens and Subjects of each respective power; and it is to be ratified and approved by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by the August Sovereign of Japan, and the ratification shall be exchanged within eighteen months from the date of the Signature thereof, or sooner if practible.
7.
In faith whereof, we the respective plenipotentiaries of the United States of America and the Empire of Japan aforesaid have signed and sealed these presents.
Done at Kanagawa this thirty first day of March in the Year of our Lord Jesus Christ, One thousand eight hundred and fifty four; and of Kayei, the Seventh Year, third month and Third _ day.
[signed] M.C. Perry
This primary source comes from the General Records of the United States Government.
National Archives Identifier: 299806
Full Citation: Treaty of Kanagawa; 3/31/1854; Perfected Treaties, 1778–1945; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, DC . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/treaty-of-kanagawa, April 29, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.