Chapter One: Hail, Kurofune!

Summer, 1854

 

The USS Canarsie approaches Kurofune at daybreak.

 

The sun began to crest the horizon, and the sky burned from a deep twilight purple into orange. It gave Captain Harold Miriam his first view of Kurofune Island. Peaks and valleys were illuminated, turning a verdant green as sunlight spilled across them. He leaned against the railing and reflected atop the deck of the USS Canarsie, a large steam-powered frigate that served as the expedition’s flagship. It was nearly a year ago when Commodore Perry opened fire on the Japanese in Edo Bay when they refused to open up to American trade. After an engagement which lasted for nearly four hours, the white flag was raised from the smoldering ruins of a few seaside buildings. Negotiation quickly followed. The Kanagawa Treaty was signed and ratified. This allowed the United States trading access through Shimoda, and the nearby island of Kurofune was given for use as an American trading port and naval station.

 

The village of Ishimura.

 

The usually sleepy wooden dock at Ishimura sprung to life as the expedition unloaded supplies and equipment, crowded by locals watching the proceedings. The detachment of Marines assembled into neat lines, their band preparing instruments. An entourage of Shogunate officials prepared as well. Within two hours of landing, a column of soldiers marched up and down the central street playing a lively rendition of "Hail, Columbia." A young sergeant proclaimed in his booming voice that this territory was now the sovereign soil of the United States of America... to little fanfare from the Japanese-speaking populace. A moment later, the proclamation was repeated by a Japanese translator, to which the crowd replied with little more than murmurs and discussions amongst themselves. 
 

United States Marines assemble to raise the flag over Kurofune Island.

 

Overlooking the settlement was Ishimura Castle, which seemed to brood in the background as the Americans assessed their new holding. It served as the winter home of Hosokawa Moritomo , daimyo of lands near Shimoda. He was away on the mainland administering his realm, but sent a short letter of congratulations to Captain Miriam. Despite the loss of political authority, the daimyo was able to retain ownership of the castle and the grounds. They would make for a powerful ally, or enemy, should they ever intend to influence the politics of the island.

 

Ishimura Castle, overlooking the town.
 

After a day of ceremony, the long work of making the island into American territory began. A detachment of bureaucrats walked the settlements with their translators, while a team of naturalists and cartographers explored the uninhabited forests and mountains of the island. The Captain considered it essential to have a full view of the island’s information. Within a few days, a report was filed at the temporary office aboard the USS Canarsie. The island was inhabited by approximately 300 residents in Ishimura, and fewer than 100 in Sakanaya. A further picture of the economy followed.

 

Ishimura (left) and Sakanaya (right).

 

The majority of households were employed in subsistence agriculture and fishing. There were a few stores in each town, providing a small bit of commercial activity. A small logging camp at the northern edge of Ishimura produced construction timber and firewood for the families of the island. The most prominent industrial venture was a small quarry on the northern edge of Ishimura. They harvested a beautiful black stone used by artisans to make statues, trinkets, and other types of masonry. This quarry had an outsized cultural influence, as it was the sole export of interest back to mainland Japan. In fact, this is how the town of Ishimura gained its name, with ishi- translating to stone, and -mura to village. If any mainlander knew of Kurofune, it was likely for their quarry and artisans.

 

Quarry and artisan workshop.

 

Logging camp, surrounded by freshly planted saplings.

 

Kurofune's fishing fleet.

 

Sakanaya was a small satellite village which grew to take advantage of a particularly good fishing bay to the east. It did not have any industrial development, but due to the proximity to Ishimura, some residents walked the short commute to the logging camp or even further to the quarry.

 

The satellite village of Sakanaya.

 

With this report in hand, Captain Miriam sat back in his chair. On the desk sat orders from the Secretary of the Navy. Included were detailed plans and requirements for the establishment of a naval base on the island. Fortunately, the Captain’s surveyors had located the ideal place. To the south of Ishimura lay a large, deep bay. The interior, while somewhat narrow, did provide for a parallel flow of water from the ocean, which would protect ships from choppy waves and bad weather. A small patch of flat land would provide sufficient room for warehouses, coal depots, and space for the settlement of maritime workers. Captain Miriam took a long draw from his pipe, and made a proclamation to himself. Under his watch, the island would flourish.

 

Kurofune Bay (left) is the perfect site for a naval base and trading port.

 

This concludes the opening to my first city journal. Any constructive criticism is more than welcome, especially in regards to formatting future posts. Thank you for reading, and I hope to have a new chapter out soon!