Shōzan Observes Perry’s Fleet and Proposes Guard Duty

News from Kawaji Toshiakira sent Sakuma Shōzan to Uraga after Perry’s arrival in 1853. He obtained domain authorization, traveled with two foot soldiers and observed the ships from nearby heights. In a letter to his mother, he described two vessels able to move against the wind by steam power.

He sent reports to Matsushiro’s senior retainer Mochizuki Mondo. When a steamer advanced farther into the bay, he returned toward Edo and urged preparations of artillery and ammunition. His observations therefore reached domain administrators as information tied to proposed action.

Shōzan then sought a guard position at Gotenyama, near Shinagawa. Through Mochizuki and the domain’s liaison Tsuda Utata, he petitioned Abe Masahiro’s government and obtained permission to prepare pending a call for men. The proposed guard deployment did not materialize before the fleet withdrew, though domain training continued. It was a specific attempted response to the visit, rather than proof that Shōzan controlled the treaty negotiations.