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Japan and the West: The First 500 Years // Japanese History Documentary (1298 - 1854)

Voices of the Past・43 minutes read

Commodore Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 sparked a series of events that led to the country's transformation into a global power within 50 years, driven by the need for modernization and adapting to Western influence. This shift impacted Japan's military capabilities, economic policies, and interactions with foreign powers, reshaping the course of the nation's history.

Insights

  • Commodore Perry's arrival in 1853 marked the beginning of Japan's forced opening to the West, triggering a series of unequal treaties that ultimately transformed the country from a semi-feudal society to a global power within 50 years.
  • The encounter with the U.S. Navy highlighted Japan's technological and military deficiencies, prompting forward-thinking individuals like Takashima Shuhan and Lord Egawah to advocate for modernization to ensure national security and navigate the evolving global landscape.

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Recent questions

  • What event occurred at Kurihama Beach in 1853?

    Arrival of Commodore Perry and American vessels.

  • Who was William Adams and what did he note about Japan?

    English navigator who noted Japan's wealth.

  • What impact did the introduction of firearms have on Japan?

    Rapid development of a gun industry.

  • How did Japan's interactions with Europeans influence its learning?

    Sparked a revolution in Japanese learning about Europe.

  • How did Japan's policy of isolation impact its development?

    Shaped interactions with the West and global dynamics.

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Summary

00:00

Transformation of Japan: Perry's Arrival and Impact.

  • July 14th, 1853: Thousands of samurai and spectators gathered at Kurihama Beach to witness a historic event involving four American vessels anchored nearby.
  • Commodore Matthew Calbreith Perry of the U.S. Navy arrived with a delegation, including two large black-skinned men carrying an ornate box and a letter from their president.
  • The Americans threatened to destroy Edo, Japan's capital, if attacked, and handed over the letter to Toda Ujiyoshi, the true governor of Uraga.
  • The Americans announced their return in April or May the following year, marking a significant moment in history that lasted only half an hour but had far-reaching consequences.
  • The U.S. Navy's return in February 1854 led to negotiations for 23 days, resulting in a treaty that humiliated Japan and set the stage for further unfavorable agreements.
  • The treaty with the U.S. Navy initiated a wave of colonial powers pressuring Japan into signing increasingly insulting deals over the next decade.
  • Within 50 years of Perry's arrival, Japan transformed from a semi-feudal nation into one of the most powerful countries globally, reshaping the 20th century.
  • Japan's isolation and distrust of foreigners, leading to its need to keep the world at arm's length, were rooted in centuries of history and shaped its interactions with the West.
  • The first recorded contact between Europeans and Japanese occurred on Tanegashima Island in 1543, involving traders who introduced firearms to Japan.
  • The introduction of firearms during Japan's civil war era led to the rapid development of a large-scale gun industry, significantly impacting the country's military capabilities and shaping its future.

20:25

"Japanese History: Trade, Religion, and Exile"

  • Portuguese and Jesuit allies used Macau as a base to provide goods to feuding oriental cousins, funding their Japanese mission and the Portuguese empire.
  • William Adams, a navigator from England, noted the abundance of silver and gold in Japan, contrasting with the need for such in the East Indies.
  • Drake, Hawkins, Cavendish, and Raleigh, English heroes, turned pirates to raid Catholic settlements and ships in the Atlantic.
  • Adams, a foreign-born samurai, infiltrated Japan in the 17th century, gaining favor with Tokugawa Ieyasu and rising in ranks.
  • Japan expelled or annihilated all Catholics, leading to the torture and apostasy of many.
  • Petro Kibe, a Japanese Catholic, embarked on an odyssey to Rome, becoming a saint after being martyred in Japan.
  • The first Japanese embassy to Europe in 1582 aimed to showcase the wealth and power of European kingdoms.
  • Japanese exiles settled in various countries, influencing industries like barbering in Mexico City and trade in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
  • English merchants left Japan in 1623, leaving only the Dutch to continue trade under strict regulations during the Sakoku era.
  • Japan enforced strict border controls and immigration policies, restricting foreign travel and exiling or executing Japanese citizens found outside the country.

39:10

"European Influence in Japan's Evolution"

  • Japanese porcelain, including the willow pattern, became popular in the 17th century in Europe and America.
  • Drawers were introduced to Europe through Japanese import furniture.
  • European and Asian novelties like telescopes, clocks, and oil paintings found a market in Japan.
  • The Dutch pioneered the first global mail-order business in the 17th century.
  • European books were strictly forbidden in Japan in the 17th century.
  • Arai Hakuseki, a scholar, observed the first European missionary in Japan in 1709.
  • Arai recorded the missionary's teachings in several volumes, sparking a revolution in Japanese learning about Europe.
  • Japan embraced Dutch learning, leading to advancements in various fields by the early 19th century.
  • Notable achievements in Japan included the first operation under anesthesia for breast cancer in 1804.
  • Takashima Shuhan, inspired by European military tactics, established a military school in Japan in the early 1840s.

57:04

Japan's Modernization for National Security

  • Lord Egawah observed 125 European-style rifle-wielding infantry divided into two companies, showcasing disciplined movements and effective firing techniques.
  • Egawah recognized the need for Japan to adopt modern technology, including the production of higher-grade steel for cannons and the construction of advanced warships.
  • Despite initial opposition, forward-thinking individuals like Takashima Shuhan and Egawah pushed for technological advancements in Japan to ensure national security.
  • The arrival of Commodore Perry in 1853 highlighted Japan's lack of preparedness, leading to internal conflicts and a realization of the need for modernization to navigate changing global dynamics.
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