HISTORY

In Japan, the Meiji Era Begins in 1854

The U.S. had met with hostility in earlier encounters to try to open ports of Japan. There was a need to create a peaceful treaty between the two nations as both now shared the Pacific ocean. But Japan had been closed to the world for 200 years. To avoid violence but to successfully carry out his mission and command respect, Perry led an armada of nine ships, with 100 mounted cannons into Edo (Tokyo) Bay. Hulls were made waterproof with black pine pitch, a custom in western nations. Two of the ships were steam driven. The huge ships all black, some not using sails or oars to move, were a fearful sight to the Japanese.

All drawings by the author.

Map of Japan

The heroine is from the southernmost island, Kyushu.
Commodore Perry

By the 1850s, the US had expanded to the west coast. American ships leaving ports on West Coast needed friendly ports around the rim of the Pacific to reload supplies.
Senior Official

The present shogun was old and sick. It was also a power move to not let the US have access to the real head of state.
Edo Bay 1854

U.S. wanted a peaceful negotiation with Japan. However, due to previous aborted attempts which had met with extreme violence in the Japanese ports, it was deemed necessary to show a strong presence.
The Kanagawa Treaty

Two Japanese ports are opened. The treaty opened the way for more treaties with the west propelling Japan into the industrial era.

Japanese Culture in the 1890s

Although Japan was secluded from the rest of the world for 200 years, it was not an uncivilized country. During that time a relative peace lay over the land which allowed for the arts and theater to develop. Skilled artisans developed superior quality paper, silk, porcelain and steel bladed swords- all unmatched in the rest of the world. These were some of the gifts given to Commodore Perry at the time of the signing of the treaty. However, his unskilled eye did not correctly estimate their value. Japan had valued regular bathing and cleanliness a century before Europe and America. Likewise, early on, their towns had gutters on their buildings and street sewers. Their public manners were also impressive in their civility and graciousness. Yet the country was deep into a feudal land and government system with few liberties for the people. Much of the country could be likened to the middle ages of Europe with feudal lords (daimyos) and knights (samurais) loyal to them.

Japanese culture in the 1890s

Samisen

A three stringed instrument in traditional Japanese music similar to a banjo.
Woman Sewing

In many Asian countries, the floor is considered a piece of furniture and you do not wear shoes, you sit on it. In Japan, the floor is covered with Tatami Mats, which are a soft, woven weave of reeds.
Kendo

A samurai warrior's sword training with a bamboo sword.
Fishmonger

The fishmonger carried his daily catch in baskets from door to door.
Cloth Merchant

The merchants would showcase their wares in front of their shops.
Merchant House

The store was up front. The family lived in the back and on the second floor. The roofs were tiled to prevent the spread of fire.
Interior Merchant House

Merchants had money to spend. Here we see a quality chest and cupboard. The walls are sliding doors allowing different configuration of rooms. The floor is a soft mat for kneeling.
Garden Gate

Most houses had a private well-manicured garden.

Japanese Emigration to Hawaii

In 1881 King Kalakaua took a world tour. Part of the goal was to import labor for the sugar plantations from the Asia-Pacific nations. The King had met with the emperor to establish immigration between the two island nations. Japan’s rapid transition from a feudal/agricultural to an industrial economy had put a strain on the people. Several droughts had reduced the rice crop and taxes had been severe on the rural areas. Thus, many were searching for opportunities elsewhere. The first Japanese to emigrate to work on the plantations came in1885.

Map of the Pacific Crossing

By the late 1800s, Japan had a well-established railroad system. Emigrants would take a train to the major port of Yokohama for passage to Hawaii.
King Kalakaua

He established the Polynesian Confederacy to unite the Pacific Islands. He reached out to Emperor Meiji to bring Japanese workers to Hawaii.
Emperor Meiji

He came to power with the fall of the Shogunate system at age 15. He promoted the governmental and social changes that launched Japan into the industrial era.
Steamer Ship

Originally steamers were not efficient. Sails were often used at the same time or when the coal supply ran out.
Steamer Ship Under Sail

Japanese Indentured Sugar Workers in Hawaii

Initially the Japanese working on the plantations were still Japanese citizens and often wondered why the Emperor did not protect them better in this new land. They celebrated all the Japanese holidays including celebrating the emperor’s birthday. The plantation kept the workers all living behind tall chain link fences in company housing with strict rules enforced by whips. The workers had to buy their food from the company store at elevated prices. It was unusual for anyone to pay off their ship fare and be free of the plantation debt within five or even ten years. They were paid very little, worked very long hours in brutally hot conditions. They were called by their “numbers” when working in the field or buying supplies- very dehumanizing. Most of these immigrants had no background in farming. Many were from middle class backgrounds. The Japanese workers quickly found that their kimonos were not good for this type of work and they adopted better style clothing to wear in the field that would allow the bending required for the work and protection from the sharp edges of the cane. After they paid off their debt to the plantation, many moved to Honolulu and opened very successful businesses. Few returned to Japan.

Waialua Sugar Mill

Making sugar was a sophisticated industrial process.
Evaporator

The juice is clarified, concentrated and crystalized.
Cutting Cane

The fields were burned to remove the leaves from the stalks before it was ready to be cut from its roots.
Loading Cane

The cut cane was loaded into carts that were transported by horse and wagon or at some mills onto a local rail system.
Men's Protective Clothing

The Japanese adopted western clothing being more practical for work in the fields.
Women's

Although it was very hot in the fields, it was necessary to wear heavy clothing to preventing injury from the sharp cane leaves.
At Home

The workers preferred their more comfortable loose kimonos for home.
Obon

The Japanese community preserved its traditional customs and celebrated them at their temples which they built at each plantation camp.
House

A family lived in a small two or three room cottage while the bachelors lived in barracks. There were inadequate sanitary facilities.