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Japan's First Ambassadors to the US |
The first Japanese to come to Philadelphia were the over 100 members of the Iwakura Mission -- Japan's first diplomatic mission to the West -- from June 22 -25, 1872. The new Meiji government of Japan had recently reversed the centuries-old policy of isolationism and desired to modernize itself in the model of the US and Europe. The envoy was led by Tomomi Iwakura, and included ambassadors, government officials, and even students (including Umeko Tsuda, one of the first Japanese woman to study abroad -- at Bryn Mawr College).
Officially, the envoy was sent with the purpose of renegotiating the
previous treaties that the Edo shogunate had made with the Western
nations, but greater emphasis was placed on learning more about the
societies and modernization of the countries that it visited. A five
volume account of this journey was published by historian Kunitake Kume, a member of the envoy, entitled True Account of a Tour of America and Europe.
According to the True Account, "Philadelphia is the second
largest city in the United States by population, but it is the first in
cleanliness and beauty, flourishing in manufacturing, trade, and other
aspects." He further notes, "The American people are peaceful in their
dealings with others, and Philadelphians are especially cordial,
friendly and energetic. The fact that Americans are filled with
friendship is probably based on the way of thinking in Philadelphia."
The Iwakura Mission visited Independence Hall and the liberty bell, and
said, "This is where patriots gathered and struggled for the right to
independence. I can imagine how it must have been then." It was also
noted that "Fairmount Park borders both sides of the Schuylkill River,
where the land slopes uphill. It is a magnificent park in terms of its
landscape."
Despite only being here for four days, the first Japanese mission to Philadelphia was strongly impressed by our city, and paved the way for many more unique relationships in the future.
Interested in learning more about the Iwakura Mission and Philadelphia's unique relationship with Japan? Phila-Nipponica: An Historic Guide to Philadelphia & Japan, a bi-lingual collection of articles on the Japan-Philly connection published by the JASGP, is available for purchase in our online store!
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