Volume 14 | Issue 16 | Number 9 | Aug 15, 2016
The Asia-Pacific Journal | Japan Focus
Perry’s Black Ships in Japan and Ryukyu: The Whitewash of History
Steve Rabson
law. This was gunboat diplomacy much like
what the United States imposed on the nations of
Latin America throughout the 19th and 20th
centuries. Both of these “treaties” ominously
foreshadowed postwar U.S. military policies
On July 11, 2016, the organization Veterans for
toward Japan where the Status of Forces
Peace issued a statement (see document below)
Agreement (SOFA) exempts Americans and their
observing the 162nd anniversary of the Lew
Chew
bases from key provisions of Japanese law; and,
Compact
especially in Okinawa, where a disproportionate
(http://www.baxleystamps.com/litho/lew_che
U.S. military presence remains despite
w_compact.shtml), popularly known as a
overwhelming opposition expressed in elections,
“friendship” or “amity” treaty. In reality, officials
local government policies, and public protests.
of the Ryukyu Kingdom were forced to sign it by
Commodore Matthew C. Perry who commanded
Yet, in recent times, Perry’s forcible impositions
a squadron of battleships invading the Ryukyus
of “friendship treaties” have become events to be
in 1853 and 1854. The Compact permitted
commemorated,
unlimited visitation and residence to Americans
celebrated—in the United States, Japan, and
in Ryukyu and mandated that American criminal
Okinawa, the former Ryukyu Kingdom. School
suspects be turned over to U.S. authorities
textbooks in America and Japan describe what
aboard American ships. Also in 1854, Perry
Perry’s naval squadron did in 1853-54 as the
forced Japanese officials under threat of
“opening” of Japan.“Black Ships Festivals” are
bombardment to sign the “Convention of
celebrated annually in both countries, at Shimoda
Kanagawa” compelling Japan’s ports to accept
(http://izu-sakuraya.jp/english/travelinfo/blac
foreign trade and imposing a system of
kshipfestival/)
extraterritoriality which placed foreign residents
(http://www.newportevents.com/Blackships/),
under the jurisdiction of their respective nations’
respectively. Both feature marching bands,
consular courts, exempting them from Japanese
fireworks, and a major military component. A
1
memorialized—even
and
Newport,
RI
14 | 16 | 9
APJ | JF
crew of some hundred Japan Marine Self-Defense
to prolong the U.S. occupation and military
Forces participates at Newport where their
presence. In Oshiro Tatsuhiro’s Akutagawa
destroyer docks at a local pier flying the Japanese
Prize-winning novella Cocktail Party, published
navy flag with spreading sunrays that is the
in 1967, a father seeks justice for his daughter,
symbol of Japanese imperialism.
raped by an American soldier. Stymied by
oxymoronic “occupation law” that exempts U.S.
In Okinawa under U.S. military occupation
military personnel from local jurisdiction, he
(1945-72) the American administration promoted
seeks the help of an influential American official
commemorations of Perry’s “visits” to Ryukyu as
who has befriended him, in exercising the
part of a campaign to encourage people they
father’s only option, to arrange for the soldier to
officially identified as Ryukyuans (not
be tried by court martial. But the official refuses
Okinawans) to embrace Ryukyuan history and
to help him with the excuse that his involvement
culture, and abandon a Japanese identity. This
would damage American-Ryukyuan relations
strategy was intended to counter the rapidly
though, as the father points out, the damage has
growing reversion movement for an end to U.S.
already been done by the rape. Furious, he leaves
occupation and a return to Japanese sovereignty
the restaurant on base where they had met,
that would require the U.S. military to comply
determined to pursue the case on his own.
with tighter restrictions in Japan on their
operations. In occupied Okinawa the
Outside, a huge banner was stretched across the
anniversaries of Perry’s “visits” to Ryukyu were
street in front.
commemorated by (1) U.S.-sponsored festivals
PROSPERITY TO RYUKYUANS
and banquets; (2) a monument to him erected at
Tomari Port; (3) postage stamps issued in 1954 to
AND MAY RYUKYUANS AND AMERICANS
mark the 100th anniversary of the Ryukyu
ALWAYS BE FRIENDS.
Compact; and (4) a ward in Naha City (Peruri-
This was the toast Commodore Perry delivered
ku) named after him. (The name was changed
in 1853 at an official reception for him in
after reversion in 1972.)
Okinawa. The banner had been hung about a
week before … as part of the 110th anniversary
celebration of Perry’s landing. You took a long
look at those words, then turned and walked
toward the police station.
Okinawans easily saw through the American
campaign against a Japanese identity as a device
2
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national policies and the continuing military
needs of the United States. He foresaw,
accurately, that Britain and Russia would become
rivals to American interests and influence in the
northern Pacific and Far East and, with this in
view, shaped his policies of forcing Japan to
come to terms.” 1 Kerr also described him as
“humorless, immensely vain and, a hard
disciplinarian.” 2 Perry maintained strict
supervision of his crew, including treatment that
would be considered abusive today. He regretted
the decision of the Navy, shortly before his
American gunboat diplomacy
squadron’s departure for Japan, to ban flogging
When Perry sailed his steam-powered warships,
as a punishment.
armed with the latest model cannons and highexplosive shells, into Edo (later Tokyo) Bay in
1853, he was convinced that force was the only
way Japan, a nation without large ships of any
kind, would accept trade relations with the
United States. During this intrusion, the
Perry’s landing at Shimoda (Shizuoka), 1854
squadron fired blank rounds from its 73 guns,
Perry’s squadron made its two intrusions on
which Perry claimed was in celebration of
what was still the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1853 and
American Independence Day. After delivering a
1854, before it was abolished and annexed by
letter stating U.S. demands, the squadron left
Japan as Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. Narrative of
Japan for Hong Kong. His fleet much enlarged,
the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China
Perry returned in early 1854, forcing Japanese
Seas and Japan
, 3 published in 1856, provides
officials to sign an agreement to begin trade
dramatic and colorful accounts of Perry’s visits to
relations.
Ryukyu. Written by Perry’s close friend, author
Francis L. Hawks, the Narrative’s lively
Historian George Kerr called Perry “a statesman
descriptions of contemporary Ryukyu are
of high measure in the sense that he explored the
invaluable as history and compelling as
meaning of technological change and economic
literature.
expansion in terms of fundamental, long-range
3
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APJ | JF
Perry’s four warships approached the kingdom’s
The ships had not been at anchor
main port at Naha for the first of his unwelcome
two hours, before, notwithstanding
visits on May 26, 1853. The Narrative quotes
the rain, a boat came off with two
Bayard Taylor, a journalist with the voyage, in a
officials. On reaching deck, they
description of the scenery, which has much in
made many profound salutations,
common with the later impressions of first-time
and presented a folded red card of
visitors to Okinawa:
Japanese paper, about a yard long.
The principal personage wore a
The shores of the island were green
loose salmon-colored robe of very
and beautiful from the water,
fine grass cloth, while the dress of
diversified with groves and fields of
the other was of a similar fashion,
freshest verdure. The rain had
but of a blue color. On their heads
brightened the colors of the
were oblong caps of bright yellow;
landscape, which recalled to my
they had blue sashes tied around
mind the richest English scenery.
their waists, and white sandals upon
The swelling hills, which rose
their feet. Their beards were long
immediately from the water’s edge,
and black, though thin, and their
increased in height toward the
ages were seemingly some thirty-
centre of the island, and were
five or forty years. They had the
picturesquely broken by abrupt
Japanese cast of countenance, and in
rocks and crags, which, rising here
complexion were dusky olive… The
and there, gave evidence of volcanic
commodore, however, acting on his
action. Woods, apparently of cedar
previously
or pine, ran along the crests of the
determined
plan,
declined seeing them, or receiving
hills, while their slopes were
any other than one of the principal
covered with gardens and fields of
dignitaries of the island: and they
grain. To the northward, the hills
accordingly returned to shore.5
were higher, and the coast jutted out
in two projecting headlands,
Having refused to meet the officials of Ryukyu
showing that there were deep bays
sent earlier to greet him, Perry agreed a few days
or indentations between.4
later to receive the regent of the kingdom, Sessei
Ōzato Chōkyō, and his counsellors for an
First to board Perry’s flagship Susquehanna were
elaborate dinner on board the Susquehanna.
officials of the kingdom:
4
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APJ | JF
During this meeting Perry announced that he
and his crew would go ashore and that he would
visit the royal palace, conveniently ignoring
President Millard Fillmore’s instructions for the
expedition that he was to act in Ryukyu only
“with the consent of the natives”6 and Secretary
of State Edward Everett’s admonition to “see that
your coming among them is a benefit and not an
Lithograph by Yamada Shinzan,
evil to them.”7
The Narrativequotes Bayard Taylor on how local
residents reacted to the Americans’ first visit
ashore:
A Bully Intrudes
Several groups of Lew Chewans
Perry informed his guest that he should do
watched our landing, but slowly
himself the honor to return his visit at the palace
retired as we approached them. The
…on the following Monday week (June 6th). This
more respectable, distinguished by
information caused some consternation and
the silver pins in their hair, made to
discussion between the regent and his
us profound salutations. The lower
counsellors; but the Commodore put an end to it
classes wore a single garment of
stating that he had fully made a determination to
brown cotton or grass-cloth, and
go to the palace on that day, and should surely
children were entirely naked. Even
execute it. He further added that he should
in the humblest dwelling there was
expect such a reception as became his rank and
an air of great neatness and order.
position as commander of the squadron and
Most of them were enclosed within
diplomatic representative of the United States…
high coral walls, in the midst of a
The regent attempted, unsuccessfully, to
small plot of garden land, some of
convince the Commodore to give up his
which contained thriving patches of
intentions of entering Shuri Castle, and further
tobacco,
tried, also unsuccessfully, to dissuade Perry and
potatoes… [Among] persons who
his men from going ashore.He was only able to
had evidently received a special
“request that that they would in no case intrude
appointment to watch us [were]
themselves where their presence might seem to
many fine, venerable figures—old
be disagreeable to the natives.”
men with flowing beards and
8
5
maize,
and
sweet
14 | 16 | 9
APJ | JF
aspects of great dignity and serenity;
ensigns were lowered, and the band
but no sooner were any of those
played “Hail Columbia.” … The
addressed than they retreated in
Commodore was conducted into the
great haste. The houses were all
hall of audience, and placed in a
closed, and not a female to be seen.
chair at the head of the room; the
The roofs were of red tiles, of
officers followed, and were ranged
excellent manufacture, and this,
in chairs on a single line, next to the
with the dark-green foliage of the
Commodore, according to rank… .
trees which studded the city, the
The queen dowager, who had been
walls topped with cactus, and the
so pathetically represented as being
occasional appearance of a palm or
sick, did not, of course make her
banana, reminded me of towns in
appearance; nor did the boy prince,
Sicily.
for whom the regent governed.10
9
Unmoved by the regent’s pleas that the queen
Although unable to prevent him from entering
dowager was ill and that the king was a mere
the palace, Perry’s reluctant hosts persuaded him
boy of ten, Perry bullied his way into the palace
to repair with his entourage to the regent’s
on the morning of June 6.He was carried to the
neighboring residence for an elaborate twelve-
entrance in a sedan chair accompanied by a
course banquet featuring Ryukyuan cuisine,
detachment of marines, the squadron’s marching
some of which is recognizable today.
band, and two artillery pieces decked with
It was at once apparent that most
American flags.
hospitable preparations had here
[T]he gate of the palace was
been made for the entertainment of
closed.A messenger, however, was
the American visitors. Four tables
dispatched, at full speed, to cause it
were set in the central apartment,
to
make
and three in each of the wings, and
preparations for the Commodore’s
these were covered with a most
reception. On arriving at the
bountiful collation… A pair of
entrance, the artillery and marines
chopsticks was placed at each corner
were drawn up in line, and the
of every table; in the center was an
Commodore and his suite walked
earthen pot filled with sake, (the
past them into the castle or palace;
intoxicating drink made by Lew
the troops presented arms, the
Chewans [having] the taste of a
be
opened,
and
6
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APJ | JF
French liqueur) … surrounded with
building for the storage of coal, say
four acorn cups, four large coarse
to hold six hundred tons… . Let the
China cups, with clumsy spoons of
mayor understand that this port is
the same material, and four
to be one of rendezvous, probably
teacups… . [T]he exact basis … of
for years, and that the authorities
some twenty dishes … no America
had
knoweth, [but] possiblyit was pig…
understanding at once… . We
[T]here were sliced, boiled eggs,
should have a free trade in the
which had been dyed crimson, fish
market. And the right to purchase
made into rolls and boiled in fat,
articles for the ships. It will be wise,
pieces of cold baked fish, fragments
therefore, for the Lew Chewins to
of lean pork, fried, [and] salad made
abrogate those laws and customs
of bean sprouts.
which are not suited to the present
11
better
come
to
an
age, and which they have no power
With his attitude perhaps softened by his
to enforce, and by a persistence in
enjoyment of this and subsequent social
which they will surely involve
occasions provided by his reluctant hosts, Perry
themselves in trouble.”13
did not press further for a face-to-face meeting
with the king during his two uninvited visits to
Perry had earlier sent a letter to President
Ryukyu. The first ended on June 9, 1853 with his
Franklin Pierce proposing to seize Ryukyu as an
ships sailing out of Naha for the Bonin Islands.
American “protectorate” with permission for
However, upon the squadron’s return on July 14,
“the occupation of the principal ports of those
1854, an impatient Perry “demanded at once an
islands for the accommodation of our ships of
interview with the regent; the demand was
war.” Pierce’s advisors promptly rejected Perry’s
immediately granted.” 1 2 Again ignoring
“embarrassing … suggestion.” Yet it anticipated
President Fillmore’s instructions to “act only
events a century later when the U.S. military
with the consent of the natives,” he ordered the
occupied Okinawa from 1945 to 1972, and has
following of the regent through the squadron’s
continued its disproportionate presence in this
interpreter S. Wells Williams as recorded in the
small island prefecture to this day.
Narrative:
“Establish a rate and pay for rent of
Extraterritorial Precursor of SOFA (Status of
a house for one year. State that I
Forces Agreement)
wish a suitable and convenient
7
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APJ | JF
Foreshadowing dangers posed today by this
most gross outrage on a female, and,
presence were crimes committed by Perry’s
in such case, not undeserved… . The
sailors. The Narrativedescribes a drunken spree
facts, as well as they could be
of mayhem by three sailors in Naha, starting with
ascertained, appeared to be these.
a robbery.
On the 12th of June three American
sailors, one of whom was named
[O]ne of the sailors attempted in the
Board, passing through the streets of
market to take from the butcher
Napha, forcibly entered the house of
certain of his meats without paying
one of the inhabitants, and taking
for them. The butcher naturally
therefrom some saki soon became
endeavored to secure his property,
intoxicated. Two of them found a
when the sailor struck him with a
sleeping place in the gutter, but
knife; a scuffle ensued, in which the
Board, clambering over a wall,
sailor was beaten with a club. [T]he
entered a private house, where he
butcher, instead of resorting to
found a woman, named Mitu, and
force, should have reported the
her niece, a young girl. He
sailor. [H]owever, … the general
brandished his knife, threatened the
feeling on board the ships was that
woman, and attempted the foulest
the sailor got no more than his
outrage; she cried out until she
deserts, as the matter seems to have
fainted and became insensible. Her
gone no further.14
cries brought some Lew Chew men
to the spot, and circumstances
The Narrative reports “a far more serious
clearly showed the purposes of
incident” that followed.
Board. Some of the Lew Chewins
[O]n the 12th of June, a man named
seized him and threw him to the
Board was found dead in Napha,
ground. More than half drunk, he
under circumstances which justified
rose and fled towards the shore,
a strong suspicion that he came to
seeking to escape. Many persons
his end by violence… The
had by this time assembled, and
Commodore, upon enquiry soon
pursued Board, throwing stones at
became convinced that the man’s
him, some of which struck him, and,
death, though unlawfully produced,
according to the statements of the
was probably the result of his own
native
8
witnesses,
in
his
14 | 16 | 9
APJ | JF
drunkenness, he fell into the water
However, an American observer,
and was drowned.
missionary-interpreter Samuel Wells
15
Williams,
Though conceding that “a most
presented to the king’s officers, they
committed and that Board “fell” into
refused to put their seals to a
the water, Perry demanded a
document listing demands to which
“judicial trial” for the Ryukyuans
they were being forced to submit
who had pursued him leading to his
and to attest in writing that they
death. Officials duly rounded up
were signing it “voluntarily.” The
two men they identified as the
officials wanted it clearly to show
ringleaders, and later ordered them
that they were signing under
banished to outer islands in the
compulsion. Informed of their
Ryukyu chain, one to Yaeyama for
reluctance, Perry ordered a
life and the other to Miyako for
company of marines deployed to
eight years. Perry seemed satisfied
Ameku Temple at Tomari Port until
with this outcome, though
they agreed to sign the entire
according to Hawkes, author of the
document.
Narrative, “It seems doubtful these
were
Signatures
were
exchanged at Naha Town Hall on
rigorously
July 1, 1894 after which Perry sent
executed.” 1 6 For his part, Perry
gifts to the regent and other officers
ordered court martials for the other
as well as “a handsome present to
two Americans responsible for that
the poor woman who had been the
day’s disturbance who were “dealt
with according to their deserts.”
coercion.
According to his account, when first
gross outrage on a female” had been
sentences
reported
subject of Board’s outrage.”18
17
The “Compact” stipulated, among
During his last uninvited visit to
other things, that “The government
Ryukyu, Perry forced Ryukyuan
of Lew Chew shall appoint skillful
officials to sign what he called the
pilots … to conduct [U.S. ships] in to
“Lew Chew Compact.” According
a secure anchorage;” that U.S. ships
to the Narrative, “the articles of the
“be supplied with food and water at
compact [were] cheerfully assented
reasonable prices;” that “whatever
to” by the regent and “arrang[ed]
articles [American visitors] “ask for
satisfactorily to both parties.”
9
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APJ | JF
…, which the country can furnish,
shall be sold to them;” and that
Americans “be at liberty to ramble
where they please, without
hindrance, or having officials sent to
follow them.”19
Today, in addition to their
exemption from key provisions of
Japanese law, uniformed members
of the U.S. military and its civilian
Memorial to Perry’s arrival in Okinawa
employees enjoy the extraterritorial
privileges as well as free housing
162-YEAR-OLD
and reduced-price shopping on the
“FRIENDSHIP
vast American bases. They can send
TREATY” BETWEEN
their children tuition-free to
USA & RYUKYU
American schools and use the
generous
recreation
KINGDOM
and
CONTINUES
entertainment facilities on base. In
TO
OPPRESS OKINAWA
1853-54, Perry euphemistically
IN THE PRESENT
called his gunboat intrusions on
Veterans for Peace July
Japan and Ryukyu an “Expedition.”
11, 2016. “162 years ago
Today, the Marines describe their
today, a Treaty of
Okinawa-based division in colonial
Amity was signed
terms as an “Expeditionary Force.”
between the USA and
the sovereign nation of
Ryukyu, now better
known as Okinawa
before
it
was
unilaterally
and
illegally forced into a
territory of Japan.
While
10
this
treaty
14 | 16 | 9
APJ | JF
affirms the historical
Kingdom en route to
independence of the
Japan to literally force
Ryukyu Islands from
open Japanʻs markets
both Japan and the
to US trade and
USA, it also brings
commerce,
making
clarity to the historical
demands
of
context of Okinawa
Ryukyuan people such
today, where the vast
as ship provisions and
majority of Okinawans
unrestricted movement
remain
for
staunchly
opposed
Americans
in
its
Ryukyu–or face seizure
continued US military
by America, while
occupation
Japan
disproportionately
themselves
concentrated on this
Ryukyu as a distant
small island chain, due
foreign nation despite
to
its
the
to
the
continued
distanced
from
centuries
of
colonial rule by both
extorting
R yu kyu .
Japan and the USA
Perry
claimed
where popular will
residency for some
expressed in local
crew members to stay
elections,
legal
behind in Ryukyu
challenges, non-violent
while they were trying
civil disobedience and
to penetrate Japan,
protest
resulting in the first of
has
been
ignored for decades.
many
Before this treaty
assaults and rapes
between independent
against Okinawans in
Ryukyu and the USA
1854–as
on July 11, 1854,
stipulation in the
Commodore Matthew
Treaty of Amity that
Perry barged his way
US soldiers were not to
into
inflict violence against
the
Ryukyu
11
innumerable
well
as
14 | 16 | 9
APJ | JF
Ryukyuan
women.
continues
in
the
This Treaty of Amity
present under the
was one of the results
Status
of
Forces
of
Agreement
(SOFA)
these
initial
interactions between
between Japan and the
Okinawans
USA. The current
and
Americans: that is, an
SOFA
“agreement” was made
control of the USA and
that enshrined terms
Japan maintains the
clearly more favorable
current terms of US
to the USA, while
military forces in Japan,
Ryukyu was expected
including Okinawa- of
to placate to the
which Japan and the
economic and political
USA use to perpetuate
interests and priorities
their
of the USA and cater to
domination
their
Okinawa and the
needs.
The
under
the
historical
of
significance of this 162-
Okinawan
year-old treaty is that it
Despite
established
a
support by the vast
relationship of Ryukyu
majority of Okinawan
dominated by the USA
people reflected in local
that continues in the
elections, referendums,
present,
rallies and polls for
with
an
people.
the
clear
infrastructure imposed
some
by Japan that will
demilitarization,
perpetuate the US
returning
military occupation,
promised and no more
established over 70
new base constructions,
years
into
the USA and Japan
Okinawaʻs future. The
continue to ignore the
dominating spirit of the
will of the Okinawan
Treaty
people, such as with
ago,
of
Amity
12
degree
of
lands
14 | 16 | 9
APJ | JF
of
a war between Japan
building a naval port in
and the USA. We recall
the
pristine,
the memory of this
endangered sea around
1854 Treaty of Amity
Henoko,
between the USA and
the
insistence
Okinawa.
Okinawans
have
Ryukyu/Okinawa
peacefully
and
because its injustice
democratically
continues
expressed
present, and has not
their
in
the
opposition to the
provided
myriad problems that
human security, but
come with foreign
rather an environment
military occupation:
in Okinawa where
lethal
citizens
accidents,
genuine
must
be
ecological destruction
concerned for their
and poisoning, crimes
personal safety, as well
including assault and
as the public health for
rape,
clean air/water/land
economic
dependency
and
and other inevitable
among
public safety hazards.
many other reasons
We join the Okinawan
such as the fact that
peopleʻs call to revise
military presence has
SOFA and to reduce
largely invited and
the disproportionate
antagonized
concentration
international conflict,
military in Okinawa,
as it did in the Battle of
and to respect their
Okinawa, where almost
right
one in three Okinawan
determination,
civilians were killed in
denying it for 162 years
stagnation,
to
of
selfafter
now and counting.”
13
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APJ | JF
Steve Rabson is Professor Emeritus, Brown University and an Asia-Pacific Journal Contributing
Editor. His latest books include The Okinawan Diaspora in Japan: Crossing the Borders Within
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/0824835344/?tag=theasipacjo0b-20), University of Hawaii Press
and Davinder L. Bhowmik and Steve Rabson, eds., Islands of Protest: Japanese Literature From
Okinawa (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0824839803/?tag=theasipacjo0b-20).
Notes
1
George Kerr, Okinawa: The History of an Island People (Rutledge, VT: Tuttle Publishing, 1958),
297.
2
Ibid.
3
Francis L Hawks, Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and
Japan (Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2000).
4
Ibid., 152.
5
Ibid., 153.
6
Kerr, 310.
7
Samuel Eliot Morison, “Old Bruin:” Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry (Norwalk, CT: The
Easton Press, 1990), 285.
8
Hawks, 156.
9
Ibid., 156.
10
Ibid., 190.
11
Ibid., 191.
12
Kerr, 323.
13
Hawks, 275.
14
Ibid., 492.
15
Ibid., 492-493.
16
Ibid, 493-494.
14
14 | 16 | 9
APJ | JF
17
Hawks, 495.
18
Kerr, 334-335.
19
Ibid., 335-336.
15