When negotiations regarding the opening of [[Shimoda]] were still underway in the first two months of [[1854]], Hirayama was among the officials who boarded Perry's ships several times and were present for those discussions. When Perry turned to sail to [[Hakodate]] in the 4th month of that year, Hirayama was among those quickly dispatched to meet him there. They arrived in the 5th month and met with Perry again, this time to negotiate policies governing American activity in the port of Hakodate. | When negotiations regarding the opening of [[Shimoda]] were still underway in the first two months of [[1854]], Hirayama was among the officials who boarded Perry's ships several times and were present for those discussions. When Perry turned to sail to [[Hakodate]] in the 4th month of that year, Hirayama was among those quickly dispatched to meet him there. They arrived in the 5th month and met with Perry again, this time to negotiate policies governing American activity in the port of Hakodate. |