Renbukan kokusai renmei dojo

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

At the door of the new world 🌎

07/04/2025

07/04/2025

07/04/2025

In 1860, an extraordinary event unfolded on Broadway as 77 samurai from Japan participated in a parade that drew an estimated half a million New Yorkers.

These samurai were part of the first official Japanese diplomatic mission to the United States, dispatched by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The primary objective of their journey was the formal ratification of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Japan and the United States.

On May 17, 1860, the delegation, consisting of 77 members, was received by President James Buchanan at the White House, with the samurai appearing in traditional *kariginu* attire and wearing their swords.

The mission's itinerary included tours of significant American sites, demonstrating an interest in understanding each other's nations. 🏛️

In Washington D.C., they visited the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Capitol building, and the Washington Navy Yard.

The delegation later traveled to Philadelphia, where they conducted a noteworthy visit to the U.S. Mint, reflecting Japan's interest in American economic systems.

The public reception reached its peak in New York City on June 16, 1860, with the widely reported “Samurai Parade.”

During this parade, both Japanese and American flags were displayed together, symbolizing a new chapter in diplomatic relations. 🇯🇵🇺🇸

The overall mission, which included ocean voyages across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans for their return, spanned approximately eight months.

Beyond official duties, the samurai made detailed observations of American life, noting aspects of its society and governance.

This 1860 Tokugawa Embassy was a pivotal encounter, significantly influencing future U.S.-Japan relations and contributing to Japan's subsequent Meiji-era modernization.

Sources: New York Times, Muragaki Norimasa’s diary, U.S. Mint records.

06/23/2025

06/23/2025

06/23/2025

Endurance

06/23/2025