Celebrating Washington's birthday at sea
By Shinmi Masaoki
2/23/1860

I've already went on Powhatan. I was very sea sick the whole time. The Kanrin Maru has already left Uraga. I liked Uraga, it was a nice sight. we also left Yokohoma about three days later. I felt sick the entire time as well, I must have thrown up at least several times. Ten days after we left Yokohoma was Washington's birthday, I had to celebrate it at sea. George Washington was the first United states president so I didn't care much for his birthday since I am not American but some people were really enthusiastic about it. I had a fun time since everyone was celebrating even though I was very sea sick. There was a lot of delicious food there, which is too bad since eating was the last thing on my mind.

Celebrating Washington’s Birthday At Sea

Oguri Tadamasa
Censor of the Japanese delegation; third-ranking in authority. Lord of Bungo.
February 23, 1860
U.S.S Powhatan; Pacific Ocean
Today there was a celebration on the U.S.S Powhatan in honor of the birthday of the first American President, George Washington. The Americans decorated and there were many different western foods and drinks all over the ship. Everyone enjoyed the celebration including my fellow Japanese onboard. It was a pleasant day until misfortune struck and a storm began and caused the boat to rock. The rocking of the boat was so fierce, that I became horribly sea sick. Even as I slept later that night, I could not escape the howling of the storm. I hope the sea can remain calm until we reach San Francisco.

Katsu Rintaro

Captain of Karin Maru

Karin Maru

February 23, 1860

The United State's first president, George Washington's birthday is today. This is a very celebratory day for the Americans. In fact, the USS Powhatan were celebratory to commemorate their former president. The firing of twenty-one gun salutes were made in the morning followed by the rise of the American flag while a band played the national anthem of the United States in remembrance of Washington. The Americans seem to honor their first president so much to have a celebration at SEA. George Washington must have been such a great leader!

Celebrating Washington's birthday at sea

William W. Finney
2/23/1860

Today is our first president, the great George Washington’s, birthday. Excitement fills the air and all day long, grand festivities have been occurring. The most talked about event today is the celebration of George Washington’s birthday at sea by the crewmembers of the USS Powhatan and the Japanese ambassadors. Although I was not directly present at this event, I was working hard as usual at my station of the Pony Express, I heard about most of it from my USS Powhatan officer friends. Apparently there was to be a salute of guns but the winds at sea were too strong so the salute of guns and the entire event was postponed until the next day. However technically, the event was postponed to the same day because the USS Powhatan passed through the international dateline. My Goodness! How confusing that would be if I were aboard the ship! According to my officer friends, even though the celebration was postponed, the Japanese were nevertheless present and very respectable at Washington’s birthday celebration. The Japanese may have been a little too respectful, they were about to wear their most formal of attire!

Celebrating Wahington's birthday at sea

Name: Tateishi Onojiro

Location: Uss Powhatan in Pacific Ocean

Date: 2/23/1860

Today is the birthday of the first United States President, George Washington. It was a wonderful celebration. Music was playing and people were laughing. And I have to say that the foods was fantastic. I seem to have grown quite fond of the western foods and traditions. I once tried to play an American instrument called the banjo and made a fool out of myself in front of many people. It was quite embarrassing but I didn't mind, I enjoy trying new things. The only unfortunate thing that happened today was the storm that came up. The boat rocked a lot during the storm and many of my fellow Japanese men got sick. It was quite a sight. At night, the wind was harsh but soft so I could often hear the faint sound of the Japanese flute being played. The soft sounds of the flute were beautiful, though I also like the Americans' music. Today, I slept through the night listening to the beautiful music despite the loud sounds from the raging storm outside.

Celebrating Washington's Birthday At Sea

Teschemacher
President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
San Francisco
February 23rd, 1860

Today is the birthday of the first and former president of the United States, George Washington. On this very day, every American in the United States is celebrating this beloved man. Even though there are many Americans who are not present in the United States at this time, like the few who are sailing on the American Powhatan, are celebrating Washington's birthday as well. Although this day is extremely important for many Americans, I have other things on my mind. For example, I can't help but wonder if everyone on the American Powhatan is doing well at sea. From what I have heard, there are huge storms out in the Pacific Ocean. This doesn't sound very pleasant, but all I can do is hope for the best. I hope that no one will get hurt in this duration and that everyone will arrive safe and sound.

Celebrating Washington's Birthday at Sea

Manjiro Nakahama John
Samurai, Translator
Aboard the Kanrin Maru
February 23rd, 186o

As our journey to the east continues, each day grows more mundane and painfully uncomfortable than the last. Our activities are redundant and our morale is at all time low. However, today we took a break from all that for a lively celebration. We did this in recognition of the anniversary of the birth of the Unites States' first president, George Washington. I do not know much about him but the Americans certainly hold him in a very high regard. The way I see it, there is no better way to adapt to foreign customs than to completely immerse yourself in their traditions and celebrate common events. The celebration was also a nice distraction from what has now become our everyday life. I am greatly looking forward to honoring other American holidays with the locals once we port.

Celebrating Washington's Birthday at Sea

Kimura Yoshitake
Commander
Kanrin Maru
February 23, 1860

Today, Americans celebrated the birth of the first president of the United States, George Washington. I've heard that everyone aboard the Powhatan had a very good time. However, I am very concerned with how they made it through the storm. They should have to make stop somewhere on the Hawaiian islands. They should be able to resupply themselves since they are now limited to five pints of water per day for each man, except for us Japanese who receive an extra two quarts for rice and tea. I have been looking forward to meeting the Powhatan, but it will have to be delayed a few days while the Powhatan regenerates in Hawaii. Our vessel only has enough oil to last three days, so I suppose we'll just wait at San Francisco.

Celebrating Washington's Birthday At Sea

Josiah Tattnall

Commodore

February 23rd, 1860

U.S.S Powhatan; Pacific Ocean

It has been 10 days since we have left the port of Edo, on our former president George Washington's birthday. I have been tending to the seasick Japanese ambassadors due to the storms here on the Pacific Ocean. I deeply regret the Japanese decision to travel through this storm, and I have not seen a storm this terrible in my 28 years at sea. Also, I feel embarrassed by the Japanese referral to the other Americans on board and I as "the hairy ones". I must also notice the smell of their "miso paste" as quite distinguishable, and their disgust towards eating animals such as pigs. As a result of the storm, I do believe that we will have to dock at the Hawaiian Islands (or better known as the Sandwich Islands) for necessary repairs.

Celebrating Washington's Birthday at Sea

Governor Downey
California Governor’s office
February 23, 1860
Today, the entire country is celebrating the birthday of our first president, George Washington. It wasn’t 100 years ago when this country was founded; this is why our relationship with Japan is so important. The United States is a newly born country with not many ally countries, but if all goes well with the Japanese, we will have gained a powerful ally in the Pacific. I can only hope the crew of the U.S.S. Powhaten is treating the Japanese people with the utmost respect and decency. The U.S.S Powhaten isn’t scheduled to dock for a couple more weeks, but I have already begun preparations for their arrival.

Celebrating Washington's birthday at sea

Fukuzawa Yukichi (Captain Kimura's assistant)
Kanrin Maru
February 23rd, 1860
I heard that today was the celebration of Washington’s Birthday. Since it's one of the most respected figures in America, I'm guessing the Americans are going to celebrate it on their ship, U.S.S Powhatan. As for us, it's just another day on Kanrin Maru. I was in my room like usual and studying the English words I was not too sure about. The days on here are beginning to feel longer because I'm getting seasick. Not to mention that the food taste gross because all the meat are preserved in salt. I really can't wait to get off this ship and roam the new world as I document my adventures.

Celebrating Washington's Birthday At Sea

Muragaki Norimasa;Lord of Awaji, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, and Governor of Kanagawa.Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean on the Powhatan. February 10,1860.

Today we were celebrating the birthday of America's first leader, George Washington.The commodore threw a big celebration. There was music playing and there was a salute of guns.Naruse even said we should dress formally and express our congratulations, but not everyone felt that was necessary. Then Morita asked me what I thought we should do and I simply said "Ask the captain." And so they did. Thankfully we didn't have to dress up and was told we can express adulation in an casual manner. We were suppose to celebrate yesterday, but the weather was definiently not on our side. So we had to wait until today to celebrate because, one, the weather was nice, and two, its still the twenty-third of February on this side of the date line it is actually litterally, exactly one day later than it is right now in Japan. It is kind of weird having the twenty-third of February twice in one year.

Powhatan officers meet Japanese foreign minister

Manjiro Nakahama John, Samurai, Translator
February 5th, 186o
Edo Castle

Today was definitely a day to remember. Seeing the American officers descend the steps of the U.S.S. Powhatan brought back memories of the life I had lived on their land; now the roles were reversed. Today I served as a translator, keeping the Americans and Japanese communicative. I take great pride in my skill because it helps me aid persons of importance in such a situation. However, sometimes i feel as if the pressure to keep things peaceful by interpreting and translating correctly is too much. We as a people do our best to welcome strangers with open minds and endless hospitality. The Prime Minister and Commodore Tattnall conversed for a very long time about specifically when and where the ships, the U.S.S. Powhatan and the Kanrin Maru, should travel during their voyage to America. All in all, today was a very exciting day. I cannot wait to go back to America.

Powhatan Officers Meet Japanese Foreign Minister

Teschemacher
President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
San Francisco
February 5th, 1860

The Powhatan officers are scheduled to meet with the Japanese foreign minister for the first time today. I wonder how the meeting went. Hopefully, everything went quite well. There are many things going through my head at this moment. For instance, I am really curious to know why they have decided to create their first foreign embassy in the United States. Even though I have no idea why, I personally feel honored that they chose the United States. Also, I have many questions for them. I cannot wait until the Japanese arrive in San Francisco. Hopefully, I will be able to converse with them soon.

Powhatan Officers Meet Japanese Foreign Minister

Katsu Rintaro

Captain of Kanrin Maru

Kanrin Maru

February 5, 1860

Apparently today was the day the Powhatan officers will meet up with the Japanese foreign minister. My ship, the Kanrin Maru was being readied at Yokohama so I didn't get the chance to meet the Powhatan officers, whom my ship is accompanying with to San Francisco. I heard from sources that the meeting went splendid but with an occasional misunderstanding with communication. Overall, both parties probably displayed a diplomatic manner towards each other so hopefully, plans would be treated out nicely during such an important meeting. Plans such as the navigational route between the United States and Japan.

I'm actually really excited to arrive to San Francisco. Such wonders lay ahead of me just to the east of my country.

Powhatan officers meet Japanese foreign minister

William W. Finney
San Francisco, Pony Express station
Febuary 5, 1860


Today, news of a Japanese embassy visiting San Francisco reached my station of the Pony Express. Apparently, the purpose of this Japanese embassy was to approve of the new Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between the United States and Japan. These Japanese ambassadors arrived in two separate ships: the Kanrin Maru, an advanced looking Japanese ship modeled after our Western styles and our very own Navy’s USS Powhatan. Although I was not directly present when the USS Powhatan officers met the Japanese foreign minister, I have heard many different accounts of the event. The memory that was most recalled was of the different types of clothing and mannerisms of the two different cultures. Both the Japanese and American officers seemed to be confused and curious about each other, some even appeared to be slightly unwillingly to accept one another. I even heard from my Powhatan officer friends that the Japanese officers were dressed as if they were going to bed, instead of an important meeting.

Powhatan Officers Meet Japanese Foreign Minister

Oguri Tadamasa; Censor of the Japanese delegation; third-ranking in authority. Lord of Bungo.
Edo Castle, Edo
February 5, 1860

Today we met with the Powhatan officers for the first time in Edo Castle. The Americans were wearing formal Western military-styled outfits and were met with gifts and formalities once they reached the castle. Previously, I had been appointed censor of the Japanese delegation upon boarding the ship. It was suggested that we take a safer and longer route for the comfort of the ambassadors, but we were well aware of the conditions we would be under and had prepared for it accordingly. Our American guests seemed gracious enough and we can only hope they remain that way when we become guests in their country.

Powhatan officers meet Japanese foreign minister

Name: Tateishi Onojiro

Date: February 5th, 1860

Location: Edo Castle, Zempuku-ji

I am accompanying my father, a Japanese interpreter, on Japan’s first embassy to the United States. I had learned English very quickly and am able to communicate well with the foreigners. However, I haven’t gotten the chance to speak with any American yet. Today, the Americans met the Japanese foreign minister at theEdo Castle in Zempuku-ji. This is the American’s first encounter with the Japanese ambassadors or with any Japanese man for that matter. I was not there of course for I am just an apprentice interpreter and the native interpreter Moriyami and the principal interpreter Namoora were present. Nevertheless, I learned about the meeting from many people on the ship and they told me that the meeting went well and both parties were welcoming and kind towards each other. I also heard that the Americans wore big boots and heavy clothing. Americans are so fascinating. I am glad the meeting went well for I will finally be able to meet and talk to an American.

Powhatan Officers Meet Japanese Foreign Minister

Josiah Tattnall

Commodore

2/5/1860

Japan

Today, I met the Japanese foreign minister and his staff on the U.S.S Powhatan and the Japanese Kanrin Maru in their capital of Edo. President Buchanan has requested my presence in the escort of these Japanese officials to San Francisco, then to Washington D.C., for diplomatic purposes. Honestly, I shouldn't be doing this when our country is as chaotic as it is right now. With the Dred Scott controversy and John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, we need to be worrying about ourselves more than some "diplomatic relations." My main concern is with the choice of the Japanese officials to take a course through the stormy North Pacific Ocean, instead of my suggested course on the Cape of Good Hope. Anyways, the meeting was extravagant, to say the least. For the ceremony, rifles were fired about 13 times, I think. After taking away my command of the East India Squadron and ordering me to this, all I can say is that I don't really approve. I'm a distinguished war veteran, and I should be treated like one.

Powhatan Officers Meet Japanese Foriegn Minister

Kimura Yoshitake
Commander of the Kanrin Maru
Edo Castle
February 5, 1860

The meeting of the Americans was planned to happen in Zenpuku-Ji, a temple, at noon on February 5th, 1860. The Americans said they were greeted by smiles and kind welcome. The crowd was happy and the Americans thought that they were the healthiest people they had ever seen. When they arrived at Edo castle, they were met by Chief Minister Naosuki Ii. At the meeting, they discussed how to convey the ambassadors to the United States. Commodore Tattnall suggested going through Cape of Good Hope to avoid crossing the Isthmus of Panama. The Japanese, however, chose the Panama Route and thanked the Americans for their consideration. The Americans were happy with the whole ceremony of food and our different types of sake, beautiful costume and gifts or silk and sword blades.

Powhaten Officers meet Japanese Foreign Minister

Governor Downey

Inside the California Governor’s Office

February 5, 1860

I’ve just received news that one of our ships, the U.S.S. Powhaten, has finally docked in the country of Japan. Once the Japanese people are ready, they will board the U.S.S Powhaten, and head to Hawaii. The Japanese are also sending one of their own ships here, to the United States. They will be arriving in a ship named, the Kanrin Maru, and will dock in San Francisco. This will be their first trip to the United States, therefore, it is my responsibility to represent the state of California, and the United States of America as best I can. I’ve arranged a fine dinner for them at the International Hotel, I only hope it meets their needs, because if everything goes well, this could be the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship with country of Japan.

Powhatan officers meet Japanese foreign minister

Fukuzawa Yukichi (Captain Kimura's assistant)
Nakatsu
February 5th, 1860

USS Powhatan is finally here and I was determined to sail on the voyage to United States. America seems like the place where I can learn a vast amount of knowledge. So I devoted all my time studying my English for until I am fluent enough to understand and communicate with Americans. My studying progressed slowly because there wasn't any dictionary that translated from Japanese to English, but I wasn’t willing to give up. I really want to get out of this country and explore the western part of the world, and that was the motivation I needed to work harder. But my family is poor and there is no way I can afford to travel that far. I heard that the shogunates (Chief Military Commanders) are escorting the US Powhatan back to San Francisco, so I offered Captain Kimura, the commander of “Kanrin Maru,” to become his servant. Captain Kimura accepted my offer immediately and we were ready to set sail on our voyage to America!