He said, I have a special mission.
Japan's isolation policy ended after a treaty of amity was concluded with the U.S. in 1854. Next, in 1856, Townsend Harris(1804-1878) arrived at Shimoda in now Shizuoka prefecture to negotiate with the Tokugawa Shogunate about the opening of trade between the two countries as a consul general of the U.S. At that time, his negotiation partner, the Shogunate prime minister was Hotta Masayoshi(1810-1864), who was the lord of the Sakura domain(now Sakura city in Chiba prefecture). Sakura city, where developed as a castle town during the Edo(now Tokyo) period(1603-1867), is next to Narita city. That's why the statue of Harris(the photo above) was erected at the old site of the Sakura castle, where is a park including National Museum of Japanese History. If you are interested in Japan's history and this area, I will make an itinerary for you. Why don't you join me?
Hotta Masayoshi promoting western knowledge
