|
Japan
Kendrick was not able to sell all his pelts in Macao, so he came up with the idea of attempting Japan.
No foreign ships were allowed near the coasts but he decided to pretend a squall had forced him to take
cover and under that story he managed to enter Kashinoura harbour.
Unfortunately, unlike the Chinese, the natives of Japan had no interest in sea otter furs. Indeed, his
arrival had caused such a stir that, a "delegation of samurai" (Scofield 218) was sent. Kendrick never met
him for he had given up and left despite a brewing storm.
Though the trip proved a failure, it was the first time an American had ever reached Japan and the first
time the Japanese had seen the likes of Washington's guns. The visit was not very pleasant on either side.
The Japanese had a distrust of foreigners, and Kendrick simply wanted to trade and fix the Lady; but no
serious altercations ensued.
Back to History
|
Photo by Alexa Chipman of the San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden
|