The Historical News

The Kanrin Maru

If it happened, We got it

Find out what we think about the United

States opening trade in Japan

Page 1-2

The Japanese’s Journey to San Francisco

After days of rumors, the Japanese Embassy has finally arrived in the city of San

Francisco. People were ecstatic to see the Kanrin Maru arriving to the shores. There were 77

samurais aboard the Kanrin Maru; they were supposed to arrive before the Japanese embassy as a

vanguard. The Kanrin Maru was followed by a US ship called the USS Powhatan on March 29,

1860 carrying the Japanese embassy. She finally docked the harbor at 9:30 am. It took about two

weeks for the Powhatan to arrive in San Francisco from Kanagawa, Japan. The Powhatan was

scheduled to make a direct trip to San Francisco, but had to make a stop at Honolulu due to the

shortage of coal.

The Japanese Embassy aboard the Powhatan was welcomed with a fifteen gun

salute. The Powhatan returned the salute, but the captain of the Powhatan was accidentally in-

jured during the firings of the cannons. The American Navy was known for their accuracy so it

must have been a pure coincidence that the captain was injured. During the first two days of their

arrival, the Japanese Embassy was confined to their hotel rooms due to terrible weathers. On

April 2nd, they were visited by the English, French, and the Sardinian consuls and also the Secre-

tary Governor of California. Afterwards the embassy visited the mayor and there was a proper

celebration to welcome the Japanese embassy .On the following day, the Japanese ambassador

gave a beautiful katana to the mayor to represent our friendship. Two days later, the Japanese left

and returned to their journey to D.C. With a gratifying experience, we bid farewell to the Japa-

nese.

The Japanese Embassy

Trading with Japan: Good or Bad

Should the Japanese and Americans open up trade? Some people believe that trade is a bad idea because some trades are not as genuine as they

seem. However, I still believe that the Japanese and the Americans should go through with this trading agreement. This agreement not only helps strengthen our

relations with the Japanese, but it can also help us strengthen our society with new technology. Who knows what can we accomplish together? I believe this is the

next step for the future growth of the new world as every country will soon unite.

The Japanese will benefit from trading with us and the Europeans. Right now, their country is not modernized because they do not have the technology that

we have. It is critical for them that they catch up with the rest of us, or other countries might try and conquer them. Though, some Japanese citizens do not want to trade

with us because they think have all the resources they need in their country. The Japanese may think they are fine at the moment, but happens if a country as powerful as

Britain takes over? They can see that China was beaten badly by the British during the Opium War because the British had the latest technology. So as far as I can see,

this trade will benefit both U.S and Japan. This will leave everything status quo.

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