Aliens in the East : A New History of Japan's Foreign Intercourse

The author examines the uneven course of Japan's foreign relations, from the earliest struggles of the Dutch, Portuguese and British to establish trade with the empire, to the diplomatic problems of the of the 1930s. The author examines the uneven course of Japan's foreign relations, from the earliest struggles of the Dutch, Portuguese and British to establish trade with the empire, to the diplomatic problems of the of the 1930s.

In the early twentieth century, the Japanese accepted many modern western ideas, particularly industrialism. But, Harry Emerson Wildes argues, the people of Japan remained essentially the same as when the first foreigners stepped upon their shores in 1543: exclusive, intensely nationalistic, suspicious of strangers, set in a rigid and hereditary social system, and possessed of a mystic veneration of their emperor and their ancestors.

The author of this volume knows the Japanese from firsthand experience and has had access to historical data only recently available. He describes fully the uneven course of Japan's foreign relations, from the earliest struggles of the Dutch, Portuguese and British to establish trade with the empire, to the diplomatic problems of the of the 1930s. Of particular note are Japan's relations with the United States which started years before Commodore Perry obtained a commercial treaty in 1854, the first real concession to a western power. Japan's attitude toward Russia in the past is likewise enlightening. In addition to the economic relationships, the missionary angle is discussed as well as the internal political situation throughout the period.

Wildes argues that achieving satisfactory trade arrangements was difficult due to the Japanese temperament and the failure of foreigners to understand the almost fanatical distrust of outsiders which caused them in 1637 to go so far as to establish he death penalty for newcomers who landed on Japanese soil and exiles who left it and colored their attitude toward other nations for many decades.

In the early twentieth century, the Japanese accepted many modern western ideas, particularly industrialism. But, Harry Emerson Wildes argues, the people of Japan remained essentially the same as when the first foreigners stepped upon their shores in 1543: exclusive, intensely nationalistic, suspicious of strangers, set in a rigid and hereditary social system, and possessed of a mystic veneration of their emperor and their ancestors. The author of this volume knows the Japanese from firsthand experience and has had access to historical data only recently available. He describes fully the uneven course of Japan's foreign relations, from the earliest struggles of the Dutch, Portuguese and British to establish trade with the empire, to the diplomatic problems of the of the 1930s. Of particular note are Japan's relations with the United States which started years before Commodore Perry obtained a commercial treaty in 1854, the first real concession to a western power. Japan's attitude toward Russia in the past is likewise enlightening. In addition to the economic relationships, the missionary angle is discussed as well as the internal political situation throughout the period. Wildes argues that achieving satisfactory trade arrangements was difficult due to the Japanese temperament and the failure of foreigners to understand the almost fanatical distrust of outsiders which caused them in 1637 to go so far as to establish he death penalty for newcomers who landed on Japanese soil and exiles who left it and colored their attitude toward other nations for many decades. Foreword Contents I. The Portuguese Pioneers: 1543-1585 II. Adams Aids the Kubo-Sama: 1586-1609 III. Insults and Massacres: 1611-1638 IV. Curbing the Dutchmen: 1638-1686 V. Aliens Are Enemies VI. Russia Becomes Curious: 1708-1742 VII. Washington, War God in Japan: 1771-1787 VIII. Kendrick, the First American: 1787-1791 IX. Prohibiting Heresies: 1792 X. Britons in the North: 1791-1797 XI. Overworked Ship's Papers: 1798-1803 XII. Revolts Attract Russians: 1804-1805 XIII. Beardless Lads Attack Japan XIV. Jailed in a Bird Cage: 1809-1813 XV. Only Deshima Is Dutch: 1813-1815 XVI. Britain Asks Admittance: 1816-1818 XVII. Harassing the Coast: 1819-1830 XVIII. Japan Refuses Charity: 1831-1837 XIX. Holland Advises Hospitality: 1838-1845 XX. The Americans Are Insistent: 1846-1847 XXI. The Navy Demands Freedom XXII. The Scholarly Seaman XXIII. Perry Refuses to Go Away XXIV. Japan Is Opened XXV. A Consul in Coventry XXVI. Japan Resents the Opening XXVII. The Bloody Years XXVIII. The Gunboats Force Peace XXIX. The Past Explains the Present Appendix Bibliography Index