The Complete Journal of Townsend Harris

"The Complete Journal of Townsend Harris" offers an unparalleled first-hand account of one of the most significant diplomatic missions in history. As the first United States Consul General to Japan, Townsend Harris meticulously recorded his experiences during his tenure in the mid-19th century, documenting the delicate and often arduous negotiations that led to the opening of Japan to the Western world. This volume provides a detailed window into the late Edo period, capturing Harris's keen observations on Japanese culture, administrative politics, and the complexities of international relations during a time of monumental transition. Through his daily entries, readers gain insight into the immense challenges of establishing the first American consulate in Shimoda and the persistence required to secure the landmark Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Harris's writing serves as a bridge between two vastly different civilizations, making this work a foundational text for understanding the origins of modern United States-Japan relations. This collection, edited by Mario Emilio Cosenza, preserves the integrity of Harris's voice and observations, offering historians and readers a vital primary source on 19th-century diplomacy and the transformative era of Japanese history.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Pages: 670, Hardcover, Tradd Street Press