The Japanese Foreign Relations

The center of Tokugawa Foreign Trade was in Nagasaki. Nagasaki was where it all
took place.
It is a misconception to think that Japan is isolated from the rest of the world. Many
writers have described Tokugawa Japan as a country hermetically sealed off from the
rest of the world, and in consequence they have exaggerated the need for it in the
nineteenth century to open-up. This is why one would think that there are no
foreigners nor foreign policies in Japan. When in fact there were foreign polices but it
in general Japan was more concerned with Asia than with the West. Japan needed or
wanted more of Asian Trades, specifically China and Korea, for they were more
abundant in goods that they wanted. This is why the Wests placed a term such as
seclusion and isolation just because the Japanese was not that concerned with
them.
1. The Setting

The Tokugawa rise found Japan vitally affected by

o Empire and Nation Building of the maritime states of western Europe
o The reformation and counter-reformation in Europe
o Tides of dynastic change in Asia
The Flow of Events:
- It began with the maritime exploration of Henry the Navigator of Portugal. They reached
Africa to find islands in the East rich in spices that had been previously bought by the
Arab Ships to Venice.
- The Chinese economy was eager for silver. Trade was stimulated by exchange of textiles.
- Ships from England sought market and returned with spices and skills. The fine silk
thread from China was keenly sought by tailors who prepared the gorgeous costumes of
the wealthy which we can see in Renaissance paintings.
- There were countries who seized what they could not purchase.
- All these maritime competitions extended so the seas of South East Asia.
- The Chinese chain of trading posts throughout Southeast Asia thus served as the basis for
Portuguese, Japanese and Dutch trading activities in the area.
- The Japanese and New World Silver to China and Chinese silks to Japan: The silks were
used for Japanese merchant princes. European Ships competed with the junk produced by
China (by junk they mean silk and other non commodity products that a lot of people
wanted) There were even situations where Europeans would still their cargoes
- 16th Century Protestant Reformation shook the Christian order in Europe and combined
with the personal and political goal of monarchs to shatter what once had been Christian
Unity.
- Catholic Counter-Reformation struggled to regain what they have lost but after midcentury they made spectacular gains in Asia.
- There were priests that advanced in India, China and Japan
- Portuguese ships brought with them new instruments of navigation and of warfare as well
as agents of counter-revolution.
- Commercial and political ferment brought a renewed rise of trade and piracy in Japan

Fleets of buccaneers based on the islands off the coast of Kyushu raveaged the coasts of
China and Korea. They were even supported by some private ships funded by feudal
lords.
Portuguese came and helped by bringings guns in the country therefore strengthening the
central government.
Then at the end of the century, Hideyoshi (a conqueror), added a new dimension to the
violence as his armies ravaged Korea (1952) in their failed effort to invade China.
o He also turned against the missionaries and ordered them out of Japan after he
conquered Kyushu in 1987.
o Announced that Japan is the land of the gods and that diffusion from kirishitan
a country of a (What they referred the Christians) perinicous doctrine was most
undesirable.
o They executed Christians or those who are alleged Christians. But all who do not
disturb Buddhsim could continue to live freely.
o He was obsessed with fears of political difficulties arising from Christianity
After his death, Christians enjoyed a respite and their numbers even grew (cos the
daimyos were preoccupied with the problem of succession)
Tokugawa rules development saw many changes in the world affairs.
Communications were slow and no country was fully informed about the events
happening outside their borders. Nevertheless, the new technology and navigation
brought an end to the isolation that has prevailed.
Europeans knew of warlord politics in Japan and the Tokugawa founder Ieyasu struggled
to secure the benefits of foreign trade without letting it enrivh his rivals or undermine his
own security.
Western and Chinese traders were in Japan. Japanese trading ships were in Southeast
Asia. Chinatowns appeared along the coasts of Japan. Japanese new rulers had need of
a foreign policy.

2. Relations with Korea

Generally, Tokugawa years began with energetic efforts to encourage trade and international
relations. It was only after Ieyasus death in 1616 that things began to tighten up.
-

For the Korean side the cost was higher due to the ferocity of Hideyoshis order
Ieyasus first problem undo the damages the Hideyoshi has done in Korea
o Ieyasu was the second leading daimyo in japan, second only to Hideyoshi
o He indicated a wish to negotiate
o 1605 peace was declared
Hidetada second shogun.
There were talks that resulted to the Treaty of Kiyu in 1609 japan was permitted to
resume trde with Korea, but while the trade had previously been permitted at three ports
it was now restricted to Pusan.
The bakufu (parang their govt ata) delegated the management of these relations to the
daimyo of Tsushima
o For Tsushima, Korea was the foundation of it wealth and importance
o Trade was lucrative for Tsushima and the bakufu

o Initially they traded silver bullion for Korean shipments of white Chinese silk
thread
o Even after the export of bullion in Nagasaki was prohibited, the Tsushima-Korea
exchange was an exception.
o Korean embassies were imposing events involving hundreds of people and
Koreans took this very seriously because they are very cultural as well as
diplomatic
In fact, more than they held their own, Koreans were closer to the Chinese Cultural
tradition than the Japanese. The Koreans tended to disdain their vernacular hangul system
in favor of classical Chinese while for their Japanese hosts Chinese was an acquired
literary Language that supplemented writing in Japanese kana syllabary.
Koreans also served as transmitters in Tokugawa studies of neo-confucianism scholarship
of China
Korean medicine also attracted Japan
Many of the daimyos who invaded Korea through Hideyoshis order brought back with
them group of potters, a craft in which Koreans have excelled since medieval times.
Korean Potters brought knowledge of the clays and glazes that made possible Japanese
production of blue slipware porcelain that rapidly became highly priced and widely used.
Simple blue and white designs called karakusa, Chinese Grass were soon shipped to all
corners of Japan and the secret of its production, is guarded by the government, became a
significant share of cash income of the domain.
Thus it is a clear indicator that Korea remained an important thread in the Tokugawa
period
There had been a slowdown in the finances but it affected more on the Tsushima finances
than the Korean-Japanese ties.
Making sure that Japan would not make anymore invasions, Sin Yu-Han, visited Japan
o In his reports he admitted that Japanese did support their writings
o However he was not impressed with the Japanese Classical Scholarship in which
he thinks lacked formal reverence for Confucius. He said that the Japs are born
with good nature but they do not know the Way
o He saw urban prosperity in Japan. He even said that Kyoto is a dream paradise
o As a good Confucian, Sin felt obliged to deplore this as materialistic but as an
observer he concluded that the Japanese villagers were well-off.
It would be pleasant conclude that the old enmities and complexes had been put aside and
that the two countries now saw each other as equals but there are disquieting signs that
old attitudes lived on.

3. The Countries of the West

- Ieyasu was no longer eager to continue and expand trade with the West
- His options had increased with the coming of the Dutch and English
- Will Adams pilot of the Dutch who remained in Japan until his death in 1620
o Benifeciary of favorable treatment from Ieyasu and Hidetada
o Enjoyed high status
o Cos Ieyasu seemed to have found him interesting and useful, for Adams broke
the monopoly on news about the Western world previously enjoyed by the
Iberian missionaries (which they really despised)

The companies English East India Company (EIC) and Dutch East India Company
(VOC) the driectors of these companies were empowered to wage defensive war, build
forts, conclude treatiesof peace and to enter into alliances, all in the interest of their
trade.
Holland was the biggest trading countryin the world during this time
Generally, there was a widening competition among these western countries. Piracy and
privateering were the expected manner of procedure. Chinese junks were also inviting
targets And it was all because of these setting that Ieyasu had to make decisions about
foreign policy and trade.
The English requests for trade were less threatening. They were honored with a permit to
come to any port in Japan.
The Dutch on the other hand, reinforced fears of Cathloic missionaries and offered trade
without any ideology at all.
o Mauritz of Nazau warned that the Society of Jesus under the cover of the
sanctity of religion, intends to converts the Japanese to its religion, split the
excellent kingdom of Japan, and lead the country to Civil War.
Ieyasus Response
o To Manila a warning that Japan had been considered a Divine Country from
ages past and that he was not about to reverse the stand of previous generations
o To the Dutch received a formal permit to trade that it came to stand as state-tostate agreement
The English were the first to be discouraged. They discovered that the permit had to be
renewed every successive shogun . Under Hidetada, he limited their purchasing
privilagesto the port of Hirado thus denying them leverage to exploit different markets.
They eventually closed their factories in Japan and concentrated in India in which they
were able to gain more profit.
They little by little limited their restriction to a selected groups and overseas travels were
ruled out for all Japanese.
The Dutch watched these developments with satisfaction, expecting they would end up
monopolizing the trade with Japan.

4. To the Seclusion Decrees

- Hideyoshi had ruled against Catholic Christianity and moved to execute missionary
martyrs
- Ieyasu was eager to increase the volume of foreign trade and he had more important
political problems facing him with the need to reduce Hideyoris (Son and successor of
Hideyoshi) castle and followers at Osaka.
- The decisions against Christianity were made in the years around 1614-1615
o Ordering all Christians out of the country
o Start of the general persecution
- The Bakufus need to know that the samaurai and especially the daimyo, beleivers would
have no higher loyalty than the on they bore their Tokguawa overlord.
- Ieyasu was receiving council from Buddhist advisers
o They accepted Buddhism more
o It was co-opted in the service of the Tookugawa state
- Iemitsu third Shogun. Iemitsu was a ruthless and paranoid leader

o During this time there was a Chsistian uprising in the Shimabara Peninsula
o Common believers were hunted down and killed
- Five Principal Decress
o In the first seven article decree
(1-3) Forbade the sending of the Japanes Ships overseas except for
those properly certified and decreed death for Japanese, who having been
overseas, returned.
(4-8) Reporting and offered rewards for identification of kirishitan
(9-17) Limited trade in objects from abroad
o Second Decree
Removed the exception of the certification for overseas travel, made ban
all-inclusive and ordered punishment by death for any who disobeyed.
5. Dutch at Nagasaki
- The departure of the English, followed by the expulsion of the Spanish and the
Portuguese, left the Dutch as the only Europeans in Japan.
- This has always been what they hoped for to be the one monopolizing the trade in
Japan
- Taste of victory suddenly turned to ashes when they had to vacate their factory in Hirado
and transfer to Deshima, an artificial island actually made for the Portuguese.
o Dutch were charged of yearly rental
- None of them was free to cross the bridge without permissions
- The Japanese policy discouraged the Dutch from studying Japanese because they do not
want the outsiders to make any close contact with them
- The Dutch obtained bullion, first silver and after mid century copper
- Japan was a major exporter of silver and copper in the 17th century
- Throughout the operation the Dutch felt that the Japanese did their best to maximize
featherbedding
- The Japanese began to limit VOC ships, banned the export of silver and imposed
restriction in the export of copper, the item the Dutch was so eager to obtain.
- Why did then the Dutch stay?
o For the Dutch It was an extension of a profitalble colony and claim to continued
great power standing
o For the Japanese They tolerated the Dutch as a contact that provided intelligence
about the outside world.
- (Story of Kaempfer about his experience in Japan will discuss it sa baba)
6. Relations with China
- Ieyasus effort to heal the relationships that Hideyoshi had broken in Asia also included
China.
- Chinese goods, like textile, were after all the most important import in the 17th century
and the possibility of directly getting them was really attractive.
- Chinese artisans and traders had long evaded the Ming dynastys rules against trade with
Japan
- As order improved under Tokugawa rule and declined under late Ming rule many of the
Chinese chose to remain in Japan and assume Japanese names and nationality
- Then trade becamse consentrated in Nagasaki and so Chinese decided to move to that city

Ming Authorities were less forgiving than Koreans. They showed little interest in
Japanese overtures. They said that the Japanese should not be trusted
Satsuma seized control over Ryukyu islands, disarmed their inhabitants and installed a
shadow govt therefore they still had access to Chinese goods.
The Bakufu addressed several letters concerning the possibility of reopening trade and
commerce with the Ming
But the Ming dint want too cos they said that the Japs did not fulfill their requirements
and that they did not even say sorry for occupying the Ryukyu Island
Despite this response, the Japs were still confident of its ability to have its own way even
after the death of Ieyasu
Both regimes in other words both stood in their own principle and dignity and rejected
the decision of the other
In 1640s the Chinese officials suddenly asked for Japanese help against the Manchus, the
Edo authority said it is hardly proper for them to come now that their country has fallen
into civil war.
But thanks to private Chinese traders (who were in favor of Japan) trade became possible
The Chinese had no headman nor formal authorization as the Dutch did.
It is however, the cultural role of the Chinese that provides the most striking contrast to
the role and treatment of the dutch
o (Experience of China VS. Story of the Ducth by Kaempfer)
Kaempfer were obliged to humiliate themselves with several hours of silly
pantomime to amuse the Shogun Tsunayoshi but that same shogun tried
hard to be a serious student of the higher culture of China.
That shogun laughed at Kaempfer but he treted the visiting Chinese monks
with the greatest deference.
Dutch were well advised to keep their faith under the wraps and sealed
whatever religious books they have
The Chinese, in Nagasaki, were allowed to build temples and officials
accompanied them to make sure of their safe arrival
Inshort,thecontrastbetweenthetreatmentoftheseChineseprelatesandthedragnetthat
wasoutforCatholicpriestsbringshomethefactthatalthoughforacenturyandmorethe
seclusionsystemtriedtoexcludeWesternthoughtandreligion,duringthesameperiod
theJapaneseelitewasstrugglingtomastertheChineseculturaltradition.
ThatsamerespectwasextendedtoChinesegoods.Thebakufusawtoitthatthebestof
ChinesesilkscameintoitsownhandsandthatthebestofChinesebookswereavailable
toitsscholars.
InsomewaysthisrespectextendedtoKoreanscholars,partlybecausetheycouldhelpin
thetransmissionofChinesetextsandthought.
ByYoshimunestimeintheearlyeighteenthcenturythebakufusinterestextendedto
practicalimportsfromChinainthehopeofreducingwhatwasbecomingaserioustrade
imbalance.(Japaneseminesarebeginningtorunoutandsotheyplacedrestrictionsin
theirbullionexports)
ThisbroughthiringofspecialistsfromChinatohelpsearchforusefulplantsappropriate

locationsinJapan(Japswereeagerfortheproductionofsilk,sugarandpharmacopeia)
Take note:
The Japanese seclusion was aimed principally at the West. It is Western ethnocentricism
to think that a country that chooses to cut itself off from the Westerners has cut itself from
the rest of the world. Most Bakufu trade policies were designated for access to Chinese
goods, and in this regard they were highly successful.
The Dutch trade was actually trade in Asian, chiefly Chinese goods. Chinese and Koreans
brought more of those than the Dutch. The Nagasaki trade was really China Trade.
7. The Question of the Close Country
- TheJapanesetermsakoku,closedcountry,wascoinedbyaJapanesescholarwho
translatedthechapterinwhichKaempferdiscussedtheclosedcountryand,
incidentally,argueditsbenefits.
- thelastdecadeoftheTokugawaperiodkaikoku,oropencountry,servedasthe
antithesistojo i,expelthebarbarians!
- aswehaveseen,japanisfarfrombeingclosed
- TheworldoftheJapanesewasfarfromclosedmentally,culturally,oreven
technologically.Chinesescholars,artists,andpriestscametoNagasakithroughoutthe
Tokugawayears;educatedChinesereceivedcordialhospitalityfromtheirJapanesehosts,
andevenChinesecommonerswhohadskillsandabilitywereabletomakeanimportant
contributiontoJapaneseculture.
- AtthesametimetheJapaneseparanoiaaboutChristianitywasneverrelaxed.Therewere
situationswhereChinesebookswereevencheckedtomakesurethatitdoesnotcontain
referencespertainingtoChristianity.
- EdowasaplacetheyconsideredasChristianResidencecositswheretheylockup
Christians.
o AllegationsofbeliefinChristianityremainedoneofthemosteffectivewaysof
dealingwithpoliticalenemiesanddemonstratingpersonalvigilance.
o ItisnotthatChristiansarebad,infactitwasthecontrary,buttheywereableto
misleadstupidcommonersbykindnessandtherebypreparethemtobecome
traitorsoftheircountry.
- AtthestartoftheTokugawaperiodHollandwasbecomingoneofEuropesgreat
powers,withstationsinallpartsoftheworld,butbythenineteenthcenturyithadbeen
transformedintoasmalltradingstatethatmindeditsownbusinessalmostasquietlyas
TokugawaJapandid.
- ManyEuropeanhistorywritersbelievedthatitisbecauseoftheisolationand
seclusionofjapanthatresultedinJapansfailuretoachieveinternationalstandinginthe
moderntimes.
- WorldWarIIphilosopherWatsujiTetsurodescribedsakoku(ClosedSystem)asthe

tragedyofJapan,responsiblefortheproblemsthecountryexperiencedinmoderntimes.
Itforced,hethoughttherushedmodernizationunderstatecontrolthatfollowedand
contributedtothedrivetocompeteandexcelwithitsdisastrousPacificWar.

Entiresystemofseclusionshouldbeevaluatedandrethought
TheJapsprefertoseeitasnormalandreasonableresponseofanearlymodernstatethat
wasdefiningitselfanditsboundaries
thecountrywasfarmoreopentonewcurrentsduringthesakokuperiodthanitistoday.
..foreigngoodsandinformationflowedinabundantly.
WhatiftheTokugawafoundershavetakenalessrestrictiveofJapansplaceinthe
internationalsystem?
o ChinaandKorea,afterall,werepartofaworldorderthatwasclosedtoJapan
unlessitwaswillingtomakesubstantialmodificationsinitsprofessionsof
sovereigntyandautonomy.
o theEnglishhadleftoftheirownaccordinthe1620s,andthereafterfound
themselvesincreasinglyinvolvedinthesubcontinentofIndia,whereprofitsand
glorywerefargreater.TheIberianempiresofSpainandPortugalwerealreadyin
declinebytheseventeenthcentury,hardlycapableofthreattoJapanese
policymakers.
o ThatleftthemaritimeholdingsoftheDutchinSoutheastAsia,holdingsthatwere
consolidatedwithfullpoliticalcontrolonlyinthelatenineteenthcentury.
o Thingsmightnot,inotherwords,havebeenverydifferent.Withoneexception:
theferocityoftheChristianextirpation,thoughaninternalmatter,waswhatledto
theexternalrestrictions.Thatcontroloversectarians,inturn,wascentraltothe
bakufusassertionofcontroloveritsfeudatories.Inthatsenseseclusionand
bakufupowerwereinterchangeable.