The Life of John Manjiro: The First Japanese in America

Washed up on the shores of an uninhabited island in Japanese waters the still young fourteen year old and his companions were at a loss of what to do. They sat, waiting. Waiting for any signs of help that might come and pull them out of their state of castaway. Signaling any passing ships with a crude flag made from a branch and shirt. Over a month on the island with only the five of them, none knowing what to do. Being young they called out for their mothers, "Okasan, Okasan!" All hope was soon to be lost when a glimmer of hope came by in the form of a Massachusetts whaling ship. The distant outline of a ship seemed like a delusion at first but soon enough the five members of the island grabbed their signal and waved it frantically. To their fortune, they were spotted. To the other four companions it was a rescue, to the fourteen-year-old boy it was the beginning of an adventure. An adventure in which he would encounter with a foreign people, explore a culture of a far away land, and exchange the ideas in which the clash of the east and west will occur once again in history.

In the year of 1841 Nakahama Manjiro, a young man of fourteen years landed on Torishima Island after crashing in Ashizurioki. His fishing vessel went through a vicious storm, and was unable to stay in tact. On the deserted island he was rescued, along with four of his companions, by an US whaler ship.1 Captain Whitfield from New Bedford, Massachusetts, captained the rescue ship, "John Howland". Being a whaling ship, it was stocked with oil that was meant for a trade between Massachusetts and Hawaii. Taking the five knew passengers along with them on their ship they dropped four of them off in Honolulu, but had one continue on with the voyage back to New Bedford.2 Unable to say the foreign name of their new shipmate the long name of Nakahama Manjiro was changed to "John Mung," naming him after the ship. With the crew Manjiro's education started. He learned the twenty-six-letter alphabet and compared it to the forty-eight-letter alphabet of his native Japanese tongue. He learned to write across as opposed to writing left to right and top to bottom.3 Sailing on the ship with the Americans, Manjiro showed to be a quick and eager learner, encountering new concepts.

May 7, 1848 the "John Howland" docked in New Bedford-Fairhaven, Massachusetts along with their new Japanese passenger, Nakahama Manjiro.4 Manjiro was taken under the wing of Captain Whitfield, who gave opportunities to the boy that was unimaginable for a Japanese of the time. He received an American education, starting with the basics of elementary and intermediate education. Short years later, he was receiving a high school education in English, mathematics, history, geography, navigation, and shipbuilding.5 With the acquired knowledge of handling the seas Manjiro saved up his money to buy the book The New American Practical Navigator written by Nathaniel Bowditch. A book considered as the "sailor's Bible," he saved up his money to buy the book without having to ask Captain Whitfield for it. His late father had been a sailor that fact alone drove him even more to learn and observe in the docks of his new home. He read up all books within his reach that could educated him more in the aspect of navigation and shipbuilding.6 The ambition of a child would later change the Japanese comprehension of navigation greatly when he was to return to his homeland.

Thrown into a new home, he was willing to explore this new culture that now surrounded him. Being the first Japanese to every set foot upon American soil his honesty and integrity gave the Americans around him the impression that he was the ideal representation of the Japanese people. Due to this, the Americans became interested in encountering with the little known isolated nation of Japan. Even so, Japan continued to hold up its walls and remained isolated. Captain Harper, a fellow seaman, expressed his feelings of Japan to Manjiro who promptly agreed. "That country of yours is a disgrace to the world! The government is not only damnably cruel, but stupid as well." With Manjiro in accord to the captain, it is evident that a subtle exchange of ideas has taken place.7 Unlike his mother country, Manjiro is willing to let down the barricades of Japanese mentality and see the possibilities in opening its doors to the rest of the world.

Manjiro was not one to stay within the confines of the small town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. In 1846, to further his knowledge and skills, he set off on an extended whaling cruise in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean as first mate. Being at the side of Captain Whitfield, Manjiro was the first Japanese to navigate a ship that used Western scientific principles and technology. Aboard the whaling ship, "Franklin," Manjiro closely observed the mechanics of the large vessel. Evidence of this can be seen in the multiple drawings and paintings he created of whaling and clipper ships. He also learned of cartography and mapped out various islands. During the other years of his stay in the United States he explored the land, but mostly the oceans. In 1849 the prospect of gold intrigued many Americans having them head over to California in the frantic gold rush. Manjiro was one of the ambitious and went to the west coast in search of gold. After rummaging for gold for a year he made the choice to leave, not just California but the United States all together.8

At the age of twenty-four, ten years after being saved off the deserted island, Manjiro decided it was time to return home. A slight dilemma met him, Japan was still closed; nevertheless, he set off to see his mother again and prepared to face death if need be. His sudden thirst to reencounter his home led him to leave California, to dock in Hawaii, then set sail to land in the Ryuku Islands in 1851. Since the nation was against the idea of foreigners, and made it a crime to leave the nation itself, Manjiro went under repetitive investigation for breaking Japan's policy on isolation.9 As stated in the exclusion edict, "He shall be executed who went to a foreign country, staid there and later returned home… he shall be dealt punishment and his relatives shall be punished according to the degree of the crime."10 He was sent to Tosa, the government there forbade him to leave "for travel abroad, needless to say, and for ocean-bound fishing journeys." He tried to propose to the Shogun to the opening of Japan to the outside world; however, they would not listen and so he was finally released. After much delay due to constant interrogation by the government, Manjiro finally reached his hometown of Nakanohama in October of 1852 reuniting after a twelve-year separation from his mother.11

News of Manjiro's travels spread across Japan like a forest fire, many came from the far reaches of the archipelago nation to sit in on his lectures. If he had wished to stay away from the limelight that would have been a vain wish for he became an immediate celebrity quickly. His fame caught the attention of the government. Hearing of his extensive knowledge in the Western whaleboat design he was told to present it. Compared to the design he showed them the Japanese model seemed slapped together and clumsy.12 He traveled through Japan to give instruction on shipbuilding and navigation. Being the official translator and interpreter for the Shogun he set to translate a twenty-volume collection of books, US Navigation Science, along with The New American Practical Navigator.13 These two books proved to be essential in the progression of Japanese naval technology and were also useful in his teachings. In April of 1857 he became the instructor at a naval training school where he taught all he had learned in Massachusetts. Manjiro soon became head of the school and put in charge to teaching the Japanese Navy, his encounter and exploration in Western naval technology playing a fundamental role in shaping Japan.14

In the United States they receive reports of Western sailors that had been shipwrecked and badly treated when arriving at the Japanese shore. When these sailors asked for a fresh supply goods, it was denied to them and left to their own bearings. Commodore James Biddle with two American ships asked for some assistance in 1846 in the Bay of Edo, modern day Tokyo. When he returned to the United States shortly afterwards he recounted that no harm was done to them, but the Japanese yelled: "Go home and do not come back again!" President Fillmore set it upon himself to send men over to Japan to draw up the much American desired treaty to trade with the island nation.15 President Fillmore prepared a letter addressed to the Emperor of Japan and had Commodore Matthew Perry go to Japan to personally hand it to the Emperor. The arrival of Perry and his "black ships" in 1853 caused much commotion in the city of Edo, many went to look upon these foreign ships in awe as the government authorities could not wait long enough to get these alien ships away from their shores. With much reluctance the letter from the American President was given to the two Princes. On February 11, 1854 Perry reappeared at the Bay of Edo and so the negotiations in Yokohama began.16

Being that Japan had been closed off to the outside world for the past two centuries a problematic gap presented itself when it came to language. Unable to communicate effectively with Perry and his men, the Tokugawa ordered for Manjiro to become a Shogun retainer in which he worked as a translator. Manjiro left his town and mother to go to Yokohama to serve his duties. With a man that spoke both English and Japanese now amongst there presence the previous strains in their negotiation soon went away, although the Japanese government was reluctant to have Manjiro for he was one that favored the opening of Japan to the world exchange. Manjiro correctly translated the Americans' English words, "America greatly hopes to enjoy a deep and abiding friendship with Japan" , "America does not come with suspicious designs but with a full and open heart." He was soon labeled as a valuable asset in negotiations of the friendly treaty between the two nations.17 With the terms settled on March 31, 1851 the first treaty, the Kanagawa Treaty, was devised. The treaty stated that Japan open up two seaports, Shimoda and Hakodote, to the United States and promised to treat the shipwrecked Americans with kindness in Japanese waters.18 With the treaty in effect Perry sailed away in April of 1854.19 Due to Manjiro's efforts and pro American attitude he was a catalyst for the opening of Japan and a gateway to the exchange of ideas, goods, and alliance.

In 1860 the Shogun sent delegation to America to ratify the Japan-US Commercial Treaty. Manjiro was once again called for his duties as a Shogun retainer and set as the official translator and instructor on the naval ship "Karin-maru," a vessel that was used to train the Japanese to navigate in the seas. Katsu Kaishu entrusted him with "full navigation authority." Arriving in the United States with "Karin-maru" the US were impressed with Japanese abilities, for it was the first time for any Japanese to navigate across the Pacific. The Americans could not help but admire the quick progress that Japan made from their old rusted busted boats. In the eyes of the Americans, their respect for the Japanese grew and later became the basis for their success of bilateral diplomatic negotiations.20 With Lord Chikami and Lord Muragaki heading the negotiations the treaty21 was soon established, and the final cord cut and the nations isolation walls crumbling. This was a point in which Japan would eventually open its ports and face the encounters of other Western nations. Manjiro became the first Japanese ambassador in the United States.22

Manjiro, due to his stay in the United States as a young adult and to settle the treaty, was as open-minded as they came at the time. In letter to his surrogate father figure, Captain Whitfield, he wrote "…Capt you must send your boys to the whaling business, you send them to Japan. I will take care of him or them…"23 On June 24, 1860 Manjiro returned to Japan after the negotiations of the treaty was settled. Without Manjiro it is difficult to imagine what type of nation Japan might have led to become; however, the unstable government did not show its gratitude. Manjiro continued to be resented for his attitude of foreign sympathy. He was invited to Yokohama to celebrate his return home on a foreign ship. After much contemplation Manjiro accepted the offer. The moment he said "yes" to the foreigners he was as good as fired for "conspiring with foreigners," making him lose his commanding position in the Navy.24 Being fired shortly after his return from the negotiations in San Francisco, Manjiro did not wish to reenter the political arena. Instead, he led Shogun teams to the Ogasawa Islands to survey. During which time he lectured at the Shogun Naval Academy. He also taught English, mathematics, navigation, and shipbuilding at the Satsuma Kaisei School.25

Manjiro is looked upon first in foremost as a teacher. He gathered everything that he saw when away from home for ten years, and exchanged these new ideas to the people of Japan. He taught naval science to Katsu Kaishu, instructed Sakamoto Ryoma in United States politics and navigation, and discussed spiritual rationalism with Fukuzawa Yukichi, all three to have major leadership roles later on. Seeing that his awareness of the United States culture would bridge the cultural gap to Japan, Manjiro was willing and wanting to pass on what he learned to the Japanese. He taught all that he knew and hoped that his efforts would result in the broadening of Japanese perspective. Telling of his life in the United States, and being the only Japanese to have experienced such a life, the late Tokugawa and early Meiji era's perception of America, or "Ameria" as the Japanese called it, came from Manjiro's descriptions. He told the public about his encounter with the land and his exploration of it.26

Yamanouchi Yodo, the Lord of the Tosa Domain, called Manjiro to teach in the Tosa School. Manjiro was to teach the students topics that had never been touched before. Topics that before were forbidden to be discussed even among the private household. He lectured on American democracy, in contrast to the old feudal government that Japan had during the Tokugawa era. He discussed with his students the concept of freedom and equality, another idea foreign to them. He spoke of the independent spirit and the possibility of not conforming. Manjiro also naturally talked about his travels on the world's seas.27 His classes and lectures enthralled the students, eagerly pulling in the new ideas. It was an exchange of ideas from their culture teacher and themselves that had been locked up in Japan.

With the isolation of Japan no longer a factor the Tokugawa government fell apart and brought about a revolution making way for the new Meiji government. By 1868 the new Meiji government was officially established and they did not overlook Manjiro. Due to Manjiro's contributions in the opening of Japan, and triggering a much-needed revolution, he was greatly respected. Respected, to where he was appointed as the instructor of Kaisei-jo School training the future leaders of Japan.28 At the most prestigious schools in that nation Manjiro continued on with his life devoted to educating the new generation. Showing them a world that was once closed off to them behind shut doors. Once again, he spoke of his encounter with the seemingly strange outside world. He taught students hoping they would one day fill in the gap between Japan and the United States relations. He hoped for a foundation for a new Japan with knowledgeable leaders and politicians. Manjiro attempted at preparing the people of Japan for the future encounters they were to surely have with international community.

In 1872 Manjiro suffered a stroke of paralysis, but was still forced to teach.29 Even in his weak condition he continued on for his exchange of information was vital in the building of new Japan. On November 12, 1898 he could no longer continue and suffered a second stroke, this one he did not survive. Died at the age of seventy-one he was buried in the Zoshigaya Cemetery Toshima-ku, Tokyo.30 Decades later he was recognized by the Japanese government in 1928 when it conferred upon him, posthumously, the fifth court rank of the senior grade for his great accomplishments for the nation.31 Manjiro was even able to leave an impression in the United States as well. America's thirtieth president, Coolidge stated: "When John Manjiro returned to Japan, it was as if America had sent its first ambassador. Our envoy Perry could enjoy so cordial a reception because John Manjiro had made Japan's central authorities understand the true face of America." Franklin Roosevelt, the thirty-second president, wrote in a letter to Manjiro's eldest son32, "…The name of Nakahama will always be remembered. . ."148 Both presidents, years after Manjiro's death continued to acknowledge that he played a pivotal role in connecting the United States to Japan.

Nakahama Manjiro is a name that echoes through the island nation of Japan to this day, but lost within the footnotes of the United States. Granted, his life did not affect the United States as much as Japan, therefore it is understandable he fades into the history books. However, even if he were a footnote or a blip on the proverbial radar when comparing to the greater span of the development of the United States, without Manjiro, Japan would not have opened and to benefit the United States. Thanks to the hard work of Manjiro the United States was able to secure a treaty with the isolated nation before any other Western country.

Both nations encountered one another through the form of a small young man that was brought over in his rescue ship. They both explored each other's land, new to both parties. Possibly the most important is the exchange of knowledge and information. To lamely put it the two nations were comparing notes, compiling them later on to result in something better than what either of them had. Manjiro once said, "It is fate that nurtures men, and men who change the world."34 Manjiro was a pawn in fate's game. If he had not crashed into the shores of the deserted island and spotted by "John Howland" he would probably have lived out his life as a common fisherman. Instead, he became a prominent figure when discussing the opening of Japan and negotiating with the United States. John Manjiro, the man who discovered America.

End Notes

1Kawasumi, Tetsuo. "Introducing John Manjirou." , Internet, Accessed 10 October 2003, n.p.

2Kaneko, Hisakazu. Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America. (Cambridge: The Riverside press, 1956), 19-25.

3Warinner, Emily V. Voyager to Destiny. (New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc., 1956), 54.

4Ibid., 58-59.

5Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

6Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 66.

7Ibid., 64, 72.

8Ibid., 5.

9 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

10"Exclusion Edict: 1638-1855." in Warinner, Emily V. Voyager to Destiny. (New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc., 1956) n.p.

11 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

12Warinner, Voyager to Destiny, 163.

13 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

14 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 112.

15 Coffman, Ramon P. and Nathan G. Goodman. Famous Generals and Admirals: For Young People. (New York: A.S. Barnes & Company, 1945), 100-102.

16 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 106-107.

17 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

18 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 109.

19Coffman, Famous Generals and Admirals: For Young People, 102.

20 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

21 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 115.

22 Warinner, Voyager to Destiny, 6.

23 Manjiro, John. Letter to Capt. Wm. H. Whitfield. 25 May 1860 in "Manjiro and Me" , Internet, Accessed 27 December 2003, n.p.

24 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 125.

25 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

26Ibid., n.p.

27Ibid., n.p.

28 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 133.

29 Warinner, Voyager to Destiny, 7.

30 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

31 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 140.

32 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.

33 Kaneko, Manjiro: The Man who Discovered America, 148.

34 Kawasumi, "Introducing John Manjiro," n.p.