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 A visit to Fairhaven, John Manjiro's town in America [ 2008.03.28 ]
At the end of last year, I visited Fairhaven, in the southern part of Boston. The house of Captain Whitfield, and the school that John Manjiro attended still stand there today, untouched, as they did over 200 years ago.
I was greatly impressed at the number of John Manjiro related items held in the stunning Millicent Library.
After returning to Japan, I told Chairman of our board, Mr Watanabe, of my experience in Boston, and he told me the following story:
"His Royal Highness Emperor Akihito toured the library with his wife in 1987, when he was still Crown Prince. They were both deeply impressed with the story of John Manjiro, and the experiences he had in the United States. They both realized the importance of grassroots exchange, such as the summits organized by CIE and so we always keep them updated with our latest activities."
In fact, Mr Watanabe personally delivered our latest Activity Report to the Emperor and Empress last December.
Nobuyuki Mori, CIE Secretary General
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Message From CIE Office [ 2007.12.25 ]
A Thing Called Fate…
On 17th of November this year, CIE celebrated its 15th anniversary. It was 17 years ago that CIE's predecessor foundation, the John Manjiro Society was founded.
The very first International Grassroots Exchange took place in Tokyo and Kyoto in 1991, on the 150th anniversary of John Manjiro's voyage. In June this year, 250 American citizens were welcomed in Noto, Japan and a magnificent summit was held. The collapse of the bubble economy and worldwide terrorist attacks saw the Hiroshima summit postponed by 1 year, but the fact that we have been able to hold many summits without incident is thanks to the truly wonderful support of you all.
Admiring the achievements and friendship of John Manjiro and Captain Whitfield, CIE continues its activities with the aim of contributing to world peace through grassroots exchange.
A Life Path Decided By Fate
In 1841, aged 14, John Manjiro was out fishing in the Tosa Sea when a storm came. Caught in the Japan Current, Manjiro had given up all hope of survival when he drifted ashore to Torishima by chance. He lived alone on the island for around six months, until gradually his water and food supplies began to run out and he found himself in a truly desperate situation. Then, an American whaling ship appeared and came to his rescue.
Impressed by Manjiro's character and diligence, the whaling ship's Captain, Whitfield, took Manjiro back to the whaling town of Fairhaven, on the east coast of the USA, and sent him to school. This could perhaps be seen as the first Japanese-American home-stay!
Manjiro lived in America for 10 years, receiving warm hospitality from not only Captain Whitfield but also many other Americans. His American whaling friends often criticized Japan for not opening its ports to them, and so Manjiro decided to go back to Japan to relay this information. He carefully considered where to dock his boat and upon his arrival in Okinawa he was promptly taken into custody by the Satsuma clan. Shimazu Nariakira, the leader of the clan, was very interested in foreign affairs and decided that he wanted to meet Manjiro. He listened enthusiastically to Manjiro's great knowledge of developments outside of Japan.
In 1853, two years after Manjiro had returned to his hometown in Tosa, Captain Perry and his black ships arrived in the Uraga Sea. The Tokugawa shogunate hurriedly summoned Manjiro, the only Japanese to have knowledge about America, from Tosa to Edo and promoted him to the position of Officer. Manjiro earnestly explained to the head of the shogunate that the purpose of the American ships was not to occupy Japan, but instead open the ports for trade, which he recommended them to do.
The following year, the Tokugawa shogunate signed the Japan-America Kanagawa Treaty, which recognized the supply of coal and food, as well as the rescue of shipwreck victims between Japan and America.
Japan luckily managed to escape the American and European aggression and control of Asia in the mid-nineteenth century. Avoiding both colonization and becoming a divided country, the Meiji Restoration that instigated great modernization took place, and now Japan is one the most developed countries in the world.
John Manjiro was a very lucky person. Japan was also lucky to have him.
CIE has inherited Manjiro's luck, and has been blessed with good fortune for the last seventeen years.
History cannot be changed but just think about ' what if …? '
What if Manjiro had never existed?
What if Manjiro's return to Japan had been earlier or later?
What if the Satsuma-clan lord had not been Shimazu Nariakira?
What if Torishima had never existed? Or the whaling ship had never appeared?
What if Captain Whitfield had never existed?
The 18th Grassroots Summit: Kentucky, USA from 22 October 2008
Under the skilled guidance of former State Governor Martha Collins, preparation for the Summit in Kentucky is going well.
With former State Governor Martha Collins leading the organizing committee, preparation for the 2008 Summit is going well. Please look forward to a fascinating program containing opportunities to see the nature and famous places of Kentucky, as well as chances to meet and build friendships with American citizens.
Last week I was in Kentucky and decided to try Kentucky Fried Chicken. I ordered the 2 piece Combo.
It was so BIG!!!
We have something called Kentucky Fried Chicken in Japan - but it is not the same as this!
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