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The first Japanese embassy to the [[United States]] took place in [[1860]]. The ambassadors traveled to [[San Francisco]] by steamship from [[Yokohama]], stopping for supplies in [[Honolulu]]; they then traveled to [[Washington DC]], and spent two weeks in [[New York|New York City]] before returning to Japan.

The first Japanese embassy to the [[United States]] took place in [[1860]]. The ambassadors traveled to [[San Francisco]] by steamship from [[Yokohama]], stopping for supplies in [[Honolulu]]; they then traveled to [[Washington DC]], and spent two weeks in [[New York|New York City]] before returning to Japan.

As this was prior to the [[Meiji Restoration]], the embassy was led by [[samurai]] ambassadors representing the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]; this sets the embassy apart in important ways from later post-Meiji embassies.

The chief nominal purpose of this mission was to exchange the Japanese- and English-language versions of the [[Harris Treaty|Treaty of Amity and Commerce]] signed two years earlier.

==Members==

==Members==

*[[Kawasaki Domin]], physician

*[[Kawasaki Domin]], physician

*Merchant Iseya Heisaku

*Merchant Iseya Heisaku

*[[Kato Somo|Katô Somô]], aide to Iseya  

*[[Kato Somo|Katô Somô]], aide to Iseya

==Journey==

==Journey==

The more than 170 members of the embassy, along with a number of American escorts, departed Yokohama for San Francisco on 1/19 (Feb 10), aboard a number of ships including the ''[[USS Powhatan]]'', and the ''[[Kanrin Maru]]''. The ''Powhatan'', captained by Lt. James Johnston, carried the three lead ambassadors and their core entourage, along with the [[Harris Treaty|Treaty of Amity and Commerce]] signed by Japanese officials and US diplomat [[Townsend Harris]] onboard that same ship two years earlier, but which still needed to be ratified by the US Congress. The ''Kanrin Maru'', meanwhile, commanded by [[Minister of the Navy|Navy Minister]]　[[Kimura Kaishu|Kimura Kaishû]], captained by [[Katsu Kaishu|Katsu Kaishû]], and with a crew of 96 Japanese plus some number of Americans (incl. one American officer), carried the remainder of the members of the embassy.  

The more than 170 members of the embassy, along with a number of American escorts, departed Yokohama for San Francisco on 1/19 (Feb 10), aboard a number of ships including the ''[[USS Powhatan]]'', and the ''[[Kanrin Maru]]''. The ''Powhatan'', captained by Lt. James Johnston, carried the three lead ambassadors and their core entourage, along with the [[Harris Treaty|Treaty of Amity and Commerce]] signed by Japanese officials and US diplomat [[Townsend Harris]] onboard that same ship two years earlier, but which still needed to be ratified by the US Congress. The ''Kanrin Maru'', meanwhile, commanded by [[Minister of the Navy|Navy Minister]]　[[Kimura Kaishu|Kimura Kaishû]], captained by [[Katsu Kaishu|Katsu Kaishû]], and with a crew of 96 Japanese plus some number of Americans (incl. one American officer), carried the remainder of the members of the embassy.  

The ''Powhatan'' stopped for supplies at Honolulu, where the ambassadors met with King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, before continuing on to California. The ''Kanrin Maru'' was damaged in a storm, and returned to Japan after repairs in San Francisco, the entire embassy continuing its journey onboard the ''Powhatan''. After sailing south from San Francisco to Panama, the embassy crossed the narrow Panama Isthmus by rail, and then were transported to Washington DC onboard the USS ''Roanoke''.

The ''Powhatan'' stopped for supplies at Honolulu, where the ambassadors met with King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, before continuing on to California. The ''Kanrin Maru'' was damaged in a storm, and returned to Japan after repairs in San Francisco, while the remaining 76 samurai members of the embassy continued their journey onboard the ''Powhatan''. After sailing south from San Francisco to Panama, the members of the embassy crossed the narrow Panama Isthmus by rail, and then were transported to Washington DC onboard the USS ''Roanoke''.

===In Washington DC===

===In Washington DC===

By int. 3<ref>An intercalary, or "leap" month, coming between the third and fourth months of the [[Japanese calendar|lunar calendar]].</ref>, the ambassadors had arrived in Washington DC. On int.3/4 (May 24), President Buchanan held a formal banquet for them at the White House.

By int. 3<ref>An intercalary, or "leap" month, coming between the third and fourth months of the [[Japanese calendar|lunar calendar]].</ref>, the ambassadors had arrived in Washington DC. On int.3/4 (May 24), President Buchanan held a formal banquet for them at the White House.

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===In New York===

===In New York===

The embassy traveled to [[Baltimore]] and [[Philadelphia]] before arriving at New York's Pier I on 4/23 (June 16), aboard a steamship called ''Alida''. They appeared in a procession up Broadway to Union Square, and then back down to the Metropolitan Hotel on the corner of Broadway & Prince Street. They would stay at the Metropolitan for the duration of their two-week stay in New York; a total of 300 flags were flown at the hotel during their stay.

The embassy arrived at New York's Pier I on 4/23 (June 16), aboard a steamship called ''Alida''. They appeared in a procession up Broadway to Union Square, and then back down to the Metropolitan Hotel on the corner of Broadway & Prince Street. They would stay at the Metropolitan for the duration of their two-week stay in New York; a total of 300 flags were flown at the hotel during their stay.

Over the course of their time in New York, the ambassadors met numerous figures of note, and were entertained at a number of events. The total cost of the festivities is said to have been roughly US$82,000. Two days after their arrival, they received several distinguished guests at the hotel, and paid a visit to a photo studio, a rather new experience for many of the samurai. This was followed by a parade ending at City Hall, where NY Mayor Fernando Wood held a reception for them with Gov. Edwin Morgan in attendance as well.

Over the course of their time in New York, the ambassadors met numerous figures of note, and were entertained at a number of events. The total cost of the festivities is said to have been roughly US$82,000. Two days after their arrival, they received several distinguished guests at the hotel, and paid a visit to a photo studio, a rather new experience for many of the samurai. This was followed by a parade ending at City Hall, where NY Mayor Fernando Wood held a reception for them with Gov. Edwin Morgan in attendance as well.