Kochi Prefecture, Japan, was the location for the 21st Japan-America Grassroots Summit that I attended from June 28 to July 4, 2011. Prior to the Summit, I had spent five enjoyable days in Hagi, Japan, so my air trip to Kochi City was short compared to the many other attendees arriving on the 28th from the United States. I arrived about 1 PM after a brief flight from Fukuoka and was met at the airport by the delightfully friendly Mr. Nobu Mori. Two earlier travelers, Dr. William Farrell, Chairman National Association of Japan-America Societies in US, and Mr. Taizo Watanabe, Chairman of the Center of International Exchange, were having lunch in the airport restaurant.

After we all greeted each other we headed for our hotel. I was to learn in the car that they had a meeting with the Governor of Kochi Prefecture, Honorable Naomichi Ozaki, and wanted me to join them. After registering in the hotel (New Hankyu Kochi) we headed to the Governor’s office, where we were greeted at 3 PM by numerous photographers and journalists. We were led into the Governor’s office and, after introductions, the Governor gave a fairly long talk about Manjiro Nakahama, the influence he had on Japan, and how proud Kochi Prefecture was to claim him as a local luminary. The talk was totally in Japanese, so I was at a great disadvantage as the only person not speaking Japanese. Mr. Watanabe was a perfect host and gentleman and occasionally did interpretation for me to keep me somewhat engaged in the talk. 

After many photographs it was back to the hotel and then off to “Shoya” a small Japanese style restaurant (Izakaya) in Kochi City for the Alumni Reception at 7 PM. Ms. Hiroko Todoroki had invited me to the dinner, which she said was for all the past team leaders (alumni) in Japan, who were getting together before the Summit began. At first, I did not know anyone there other than Hiroko and the three men in my party, but then I was happy to spot Robert and Kathy Whitfield from Maryland and Kyo Nakahama from Tokyo. These folks attend all the Summits and represent their two ancestors (Captain Whitfield and Manjiro Nakahama), who were responsible for the original good relations between the United States and Japan.

I sat at the end of the table which was traditional Japanese and only about 10 inches above the floor. I sat on my legs tucked under me, which I can easily do for 5-10 minutes. Eventually the pain set in and I had to change position. I later realized that there was an open space under the table that was hidden by the table cloth and everyone else had their legs in a much more comfortable position.

Dinner was served and then traditionally followed by a large very shallow bowl filled with sake. The bowl was passed with all taking a sip and being mindful not to spill the contents. 

We listened to some acknowledgements by one of the organizers and then a senior member of the group, Mr. Sadao Hirano, who is a board member of the Center for International Exchange, began speaking. His talk was totally in Japanese, so I did not have any knowledge of his subject. However, near the end of his talk I clearly heard him say, “Matthew Perry", and then a little later I heard him say it again. The second time there was much laughter in the group and many attendees were looking at me. 

The ever-considerate Mr. Watanabe, sitting beside me, leaned over and translated the comments causing the laughter. He said that the speaker was talking about land in the Bonin Islands that Commodore Perry had purchased in 1853, and that maybe I should claim it!! Unfortunately, I did not get to speak to the speaker after the meal and therefore could not follow-up on the subject, of which I had limited knowledge.

After the Summit, however, I met with two historians, Mr. Hirotaka Okutsu and Mr. Koichi Imazu, in Tokyo and learned that they were interested in the Bonins. Mr. Okutsu was 2 researching the alleged purchase of land by Commodore Perry and had a trip planned to the Islands to obtain more information.  

In August 2011, Mr. Okutsu went to Chichi-jima in the Bonin Island group and his studies confirmed that Commodore Perry had purchased land on June 15, 1853 from Nathaniel Savory for $50. Mr. Okutsu met with Mr. Takashi Savory, who lived at Chichi-jima in the Ogasawara Island Group, and he is a 5th generation descendant of Nathaniel Savory. Mr. Savory provided evidence of the purchase of the land by Perry. The purchase occurred just days before Commodore Perry arrived at Edo Bay, Japan, to start negotiating with the Japanese government concerning trade relationships.

While in the Ogasawara Islands, Mr. Okutsu also met Takashi’s friend, Mr. Shuumie Hiraga, and stayed at the pension (lodging) called Craft Inn La Mare on Hahajima, which is Ogasawara (Bonin Islands) 3 owned and managed by Mr. Hiraga’s wife. Mr. Hiraga is a well-known commercial fisherman on the islands and makes frequent visits to Kanagawa to play golf and visit Mr. Okutsu.

The purpose of the purchase by Commodore Perry was to supply coal for American ships traveling in the area, but also to provide a location for the developing mail route in the Asian area. Commodore Perry claimed the purchase was private and he was not authorized by the US government to purchase the land. Although officially Perry claimed the land purchase was for coal and mail, he indicates in a letter to the Secretary of the Navy the advantage of having a “foothold” in the area. In reference to the Royal family of Japan and its genealogy since the 12th century, he states that it “is in such a state of political vassalage and thralldom that it would be a merit to extend over it the vivifying influence and protection of a government like ours.” 

The vassalage and thralldom comment most likely referred to the control of the Royal family by the Shogunate, which was unknown to western world. During 1853, there was communication between Commodore Perry and his superior, Secretary of the Navy, James C. Dobbin, concerning this piece of property.

The British also claimed the land after discovery in 1827 and some people from England had lived there and colonized the island. However, Perry contended that the only original person that was there on the island when the sale was concluded was Nathaniel Savory, an American from Massachusetts.

The USS Plymouth in Commodore Perry’s squadron returned and erected a sign on the land on October 30, 1853, laying claim to the group of islands. The sign on the island stated: 

THIS SOUTHERN GROUP OF ISLANDS HAS BEEN EXPLORED & TAKEN POSSESSION BY COMMANDER JOHN KELLY & OFFICERS OF THE U.S. SHIP PLYMOUTH UNDER ORDERS FROM COMMODORE M. C. PERRY ON BEHALF OF THE U.S. OF N.A. THIS 30 DAY OF OCTOBER 1853

The islands were reclaimed as territory of Japan in 1862. In 1874, Commander George Eugene Belknap saw and recorded his observation of the deed of land that Commodore Perry had purchased in the Bonin Islands. At the time Commander Belknap was commanding officer of the USS Tuscarora stationed in the Pacific Ocean. The letter describing the deed is in the possession of Mr. John Malin, who is a direct descendant of Commodore M. C. Perry and currently lives in Australia. Below is the transcription of the hand-written letter that Mr. Malin had describing the message Commander Belknap sent to the Navy Department on April 23, 1874. The author of the hand-written note is unknown, but it was dated May 29 and had N Y Herald written on the top.

N Y Herald

Friday May 29

Report of Comd. G. E.

Belknap to Navy Department

Received at Washington May 26

Dated U. S. S. Tuscarora

Yokohama Japan April 23, 1874

 ---- Possessions of the late Commodore Perry ----

“I saw a deed in the hand of the 

heir of W. Nathaniel Savory, an American,

long a resident of the Islands (Bonins)

but lately deceased which conveyed to the

late Commodore M. C. Perry then

Commanding the Japan Expedition 

all the land bordering on that part of the

Harbor (Port Lloyd Harbor) The deed was

left in Mr. Savorys hands with the

understanding that it was to be delivered 

to no person or party except at the

demand of the government of the U. S."

After I returned to Maryland following the Kochi Summit of 2011, I had correspondence with the dinner speaker, Mr. Hirano, by way of Ms. Todoroki, who graciously translated correspondence. Mr. Hirano had obtained information about Perry’s purchase of land from a descendant of Manjiro Nakahama. Nakahama-san was the man who had been educated in the United States in the 1840s and provided a lot of positive information to the Japanese about Americans before Perry arrived in Japan. 

Manjiro Nakahama had met with Nathaniel Savory and was aware of the land purchase. Mr. Hirano stated in his letter to me: “I think that Commodore Perry was thinking that the Bonin Islands might be the backup plan to supply coals when he failed to open Japan. According to my research, for the U.S., the biggest reason of opening Japan was to make the supply areas in Japan or Ryukyu (Okinawa), to serve coals, water, and foods, to the whaling ships or trading ships. Around that time, Britain and France were trying to colonize Japan, however, the United States did not have such a plan. I think the U.S. was hoping the real friendship between the two nations. The evidence is that no Japanese, even strong nationalists, criticized the U.S. until around 1897.” 

The islands were occupied by the US Navy after World War II in 1945 and returned to Japan in 1968. Ms. Todoroki informed me that just a few days before the alumni party, the Bonin Islands (or Ogasawara Islands) were registered as a World Heritage by UNESCO, and it was big news in Japan around that time. This is most likely why the issue of Bonin Island was discussed by Mr. Hirano. Of course, after all these years, it is a moot point if any land belongs to Commodore Perry, and, in any case, no one in my family is planning to lay claim to the land!