In 1855, Putiatin returned to Japan to conclude a treaty delayed for over a year. The Treaty of Shimoda established formal relations between the two countries. Explore the contents of the agreement.
Treaty
between Russia and Japan (Translation of the Japanese Version)
Signed
at Shimoda, February 7th, 1855
The
countries of Russia and Japan being at peace and desiring to preserve friendly
relations, and having the intention of concluding a Treaty, the Czar of Russia
has named as his Plenipotentiary, Adjutant General, Vice-Admiral Poutiatine,
and the Tycoon of Japan has named his ministers Tsutsui Hizen no Kami and
Kawaji Sayemon no Jo, who have agreed upon the following Articles: -
I.
The two
powers from this time forth being on terms of true friendship shall mutually in
their respective countries protect the lives and property of one another’s
subjects, so that they shall suffer neither loss nor injury.
II.
From
henceforth the boundary of Japan and Russia shall be between the islands of
Yetorofu (Iturup) and Urutsufu (Urup). The island of Iturup belongs entirely to
Japan; the whole island of Urup together with the several Kurile islands to the
north thereof are the possessions of Russia. As for the island of Karafuto
(Saghalin), which is between the possessions of Russia and those of Japan, no
boundary line is drawn; it shall remain as it had hitherto been.
III.
The
Government of Japan agrees to open to Russian shipping the three ports of
Hakodate, Shimoda and Nagasaki. From henceforth Russian ships may repair
damages and may lay in wood, water, and such stores as they may be in want of,
and, further, in places where coal is to be had, it shall be supplied to them.
Payment shall be made in gold, silver, or copper cash, and if the Russian ships
have no such money they may pay in goods. Except in cases of distress Russian
ships may not put into any Japanese harbor other than the three specified
above; and any expenses incurred on account of such distress shall be paid at
one of the three above ports.
IV.
Shipwrecked
persons driven on shore shall be well cared for by the contracting Powers and
sent to one of the open ports. They will be treated kindly and with leniency,
but they must abide by the laws of the country.
V.
Russian
ships arriving at Shimoda or Hakodate, may purchase such articles as they may
stand in need of, paying for the same in gold, silver, or in merchandize.
VI.
In case
of necessity the Russian Government may appoint an officer to reside at
Hakodate or Shimoda.
VII.
Should
any question arise involving a delay for further deliberation, the Japanese Government
undertakes (in the meanwhile) to direct the matter with the utmost
consideration.
VIII.
Russian
subjects living in Japan, and Japanese subjects living in Russia will be
treated kindly and with leniency, and will be subjected to no restrictions of
liberty; should they offend against the laws, however, they will be arrested
and punished according to the laws of their own country.
IX.
The two
countries being near neighbors, should Japan after the conclusion of this
treaty, grant any privileges to other countries, the same privileges will at
the same time be extended to Russian subjects.
The
above Treaty will be ratified, in a separate form, by the Czar of Russia and
the Tycoon of Japan, and the ratifications will be exchanged at Shimoda, at a
convenient time, after a lapse of nine months.
In
token of which the Plenipotentiaries of the two countries have affixed their
respective signatures and seals.
The
stipulations of the Treaty shall be observed without variations or alterations.
First
Year of Ansei, 12th month, 21st day.
(February
7th, 1855)
(Signed)
Tsutsui Hizen no Kami
(Signed)
Kawaji Sayemon no Jo.
Source:
Treaties and Conventions Concluded Between Japan and Foreign Nations, Together with Notifications & Regulations Made from Time to Time. Yokohama, Japan: Daily Japan Herald Office, 1871.
Treaty
between Russia and Japan (Translation of the Dutch Version)
In
order to establish peace and friendship between Russia and Japan and to affirm
them by treaty, His Highness the Emperor, Autocrat of all Russia, had appointed
as plenipotentiary his Adjutant-General Vice-Admiral Evfimii Putiatin, and His
Highness the Great Sovereign of all Japan has appointed as plenipotentiaries
his eminent subjects: Tsutsui Khizenno-Kami (Tsutsui Hizen-no-kami) and
Kavadzi-Saiemonno-Dzio (Kawaji Saemon-no-jo). The above-mentioned
plenipotentiaries have laid down the following articles:
ARTICLE
I
Henceforth
let there be continuous peace and sincere friendship between Russia and Japan.
In the possession of both Empires, Russians and Japanese enjoy protection and
defense in regards to their personal safety as well as to the inviolability of
their property.
ARTICLE
II
Henceforth
the borders between Russia and Japan will pass between the islands Iturup
(Etorofu) and Urup (Uruppu). The whole island of Iturup belongs to Japan and
the whole island Urup and the other Kuril Islands to the north constitute
possessions of Russia. As regards the island Krafto (Karafuto) (Sakhalin), it
remains un-partitioned between Russia and Japan, as has been (the case) to this
time.
ARTICLE III
The
Japanese Government opens for Russian vessels three ports:
Simoda
(Shimoda) in the principality Idzu (Izu), Khakodate (Hakodate) in the district
Khakodate, and Nagasaki in the principality Khizen (Hizen). In these three
ports, Russian vessels can henceforth repair their damages, supply, themselves
with water, firewood, victuals, and other necessities, even coal, where it can
be obtained, and pay for all this with gold or silver specie, and in case of
lack of money substitute for it goods from their store. With the exception of
the abovementioned harbors, Russian vessels will not visit other ports, except
in cases when because of extreme exigency the vessels will not be able to
continue the voyage. Outlays made in such cases will be reimbursed in one of
the opened ports.
ARTICLE IV
Shipwrecked
vessels and people in both Empires will be shown all kinds of assistance and
all survivors will be delivered to open ports. Throughout all of their stay in
the foreign land they shall enjoy freedom, but submit to the just laws of the
country.
ARTICLE V
In the
first two of the opened ports, the Russians are allowed to exchange desired
goods and property for goods, property, and money brought.
ARTICLE VI
The
Russian Government will, when it finds it indispensable, appoint a consul to
one of the two first mentioned ports.
ARTICLE VII
If some
question or matter demanding consideration or decision should arise, it will be
considered in detail and set in order by the Japanese Government.
ARTICLE VIII
A
Russian in Japan, as well as Japanese in Russia, are always free and are not
subject to any constraints. A person who has committed a crime can be arrested,
but is tried in no other way than according to the laws of his own country.
ARTICLE IX
In
consideration of the proximity of both Empires, all rights and priveleges which
Japan has granted at present or will give in the future to other nations extend
at the time same time also to Russian subjects.
This
treaty will be ratified by His Highness the Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia
and His Highness the Great Sovereign of all Japan, or as stated in the attached
special agreement, and the ratifications will be exchanged in Simoda not sooner
than in nine months or as circumstances will permit. As for the present, copies
of the treaty bearing the signatures and seals of the Plenipotentiaries of both
Empires are exchanged, and all its articles come into force from the day of
signature and will be observed by both negotiating parties faithfully and
inviolably.
Concluded
and signed in the city of Simoda in the 1855th year from the birth
of Christ, on the 26th day of January (7th day of
February), or in the first year of Ansei on the 21st day of the
twelfth month.
Signed:
Evfimii
Putiatin
Tsutsui-Khizenno-Kami
(Tsutsui Hizen-no-kami)
Kavadzi-Saemonno-Dzio
(Kawaji Saemon-no-jo)
Source:
Franz, Edgar. Philipp Franz von Siebold and Russian Policy and Action on Opening Japan to the West in the Middle of the Nineteenth Century.
Explore also:
Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 11): Effects of the Perry Expedition
Explore also:
Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 11): Effects of the Perry Expedition
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