Japanese Imperialism through the Meiji Restoration
Name: ______Objective 7.3
Millard Fillmore Letter to Japan (Written in 1852; Received in 1853) Who is the letter addressed to?
To his Imperial Majesty, THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN Great and Good Friend! Who is the letter from? I send you this public letter by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, an officer of the highest rank in the navy of the United States, and commander of the squadron now visiting Your imperial majesty's dominions.
I have directed Commodore Perry to assure your imperial majesty that I entertain the kindest feelings toward your majesty's person and government, and that I have no other object in sending him to Japan but to What is Japan’s feelings towards Western propose to your imperial majesty that the United States and Japan should Culture at this point? live in friendship…
I have particularly charged Commodore Perry to abstain from every act which could possibly disturb the tranquility of your imperial majesty's dominions…
Our steamships can go from California to Japan in eighteen days…
I am desirous that our two countries should trade with each other, for the benefit both of Japan and the United States…
We know that the ancient laws of your imperial majesty's government do not allow of foreign trade, except with the Chinese and the Dutch; but as the state of the world changes and new governments are formed, it seems to be wise, from time to time, to make new laws… What is the purpose of this letter?
These are the only objects for which I have sent Commodore Perry, with a powerful squadron, to pay a visit to your imperial majesty's renowned city of Yedo: friendship, commerce, a supply of coal and provisions, and protection for our shipwrecked people…
We have directed Commodore Perry to beg your imperial majesty's acceptance of a few presents… they are intended as tokens of our sincere and respectful friendship.
Your good friend,
MILLARD FILLMORE, President
Translation of Japanese Reply to President Fillmore’s Letter What will happen in five years?
Although a change is most positively forbidden by the laws of our imperial ancestors, for us to continue attached to ancient laws, seems to misunderstand the spirit of the age. Nonetheless we are governed now by imperative necessity…
We recognize necessity, however, and shall entirely comply with the proposals of your government concerning coal, wood, water, provisions, What is the significance of Japan’s and the saving of ships and their crews in distress. After being informed response? which harbor your excellency selects, that harbor shall be prepared, which preparation it is estimated will take about five years…
Finally, anything ships may be in want of that can be furnished from the production of this Empire shall be supplied; the prices of merchandise and articles of barter to be fixed by Kurokawa Kahei and Moriyama Einosuke.
Seals attached by order of the high Gentleman (signed) Moriyama Einosuke
Excerpts from the Meiji Constitution of 1889 How long was it between Commodore Perry Chapter II: Rights and Duties of Subjects making contact with the Japanese and the ARTICLE XXIII: No Japanese subject shall be arrested, detained, tried or writing of the Meiji Constitution? punished, unless according to law.
ARTICLE XXIV: No Japanese subject shall be deprived of his right of being tried by the judge determined by law. Describe how the Meiji Constitution is ARTICLE XXV: Except in the cases provided for in the similar and different to western ideals (for law, the house of no Japanese subject shall be entered or example, the United States Constitution). searched without his consent. Make sure to use examples from the text.
ARTICLE X XIX: Japanese subjects shall, w ithin the limits of law, enjoy the liberty of speech, writing, publication, public m eetings and associations.
Chapter III: The Imperial Diet ARTICLE X XXIII: The Imperial Diet shall consist of two Houses, a H ouse of Peers and a H ouse of R epresentatives.
ARTICLE X XXIV: The H ouse of Peers shall, in accordance w ith the O rdinance concerning the House of Peers, be composed of the members of the Imperial Family, of the orders of nobility, and of those persons who have been nominated there to by the Emperor.
ARTICLE XXXV: The House of R epresentatives shall be composed of M embers elected by the people, according to the provisions of the Law of Election. Describe what you see in the pictures: What changes can you see from the Nihonbashi, Clearing After Snow, No.1, by Utagawa Hiroshige 1856 Nihonbashi, Clearing After Snow (1856) to the Horse Racing at Shinobazu (1885)?
Horse Racing at Shinobazu, 1885 How do you think Japanese society changed based on these two pictures?
Describe what you see in the pictures: The image American Warship represents American Warship, 1853 how the Japanese viewed Commodore Perry’s fleet in 1853.
How does the Sino-Japanese War: The Sino-Japanese War: The Japanese Navy Victorious Off Takushan, by Japanese Navy Victorious off Takushan Ogata Gekkō, 1894 illustrate modernization of Japan?
Describe what you see in the pictures: Compare how Tokugawa Yoshinobu and Tokugawa Yoshinobu, Last Shogun of Japan Emperor Meiji are dressed.
Emperor Meiji, Emperor of Japan from 1867-1912 What changes do you think contributed to the change in dress style by the Japanese leaders between 1860-1900?
What are the differences between imperialism in China and Japan?
Images for Questions
Emperor Meiji, Emperor of Japan from 1867-1912 Tokugawa Yoshinobu, Last Shogun of Japan
American Warship, 1853 Sino-Japanese War: The Japanese Navy Victorious Off Takushan, by Ogata Gekkō, 1894
Horse Racing at Shinobazu, 1885 Nihonbashi, Clearing After Snow, No.1, by Utagawa Hiroshige 1856