Chapter 157
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Do You Know Japan?
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Thump-thump, or as they say in Japanese, *doki-doki*.
After offering some brief advice to Elliot in Hong Kong, my escorts and I boarded a ship once more, this time bound for Japan.
At this time, Japan enforced a strict policy of isolation, meaning no foreign ship could approach its ports, with the exception of Nagasaki.
However, since I had been personally invited by none other than the Emperor and the Shogun, such policies did not apply.
My ship, puffing smoke leisurely, finally reached Edo (Tokyo).
Admiral William Parker, the commander of my escort fleet, let out a sigh of relief as he gazed at the distant view of Edo.
“We’ve finally arrived. Your Highness, are you feeling alright?”
“Of course. You’ve worked hard, Admiral.”
“Not at all. To be honest, our work is only just beginning. Guarding you in a land we’ve never set foot in is no easy task. So, this may sound a bit impertinent, but we would be very grateful if Your Highness would follow our guidance as closely as possible.”
“Naturally. Frankly, what could be a more pointless death than coming all this way to a foreign land only to get stabbed and die screaming? I value my life most of all, so I will unconditionally follow your instructions, Admiral.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
His words about the mission just beginning were no empty pleasantry. As soon as a Shogunate vessel came into view in the distance, Admiral Parker’s expression hardened, and he began issuing a relentless stream of orders to his officers.
Strictly speaking, the Shogunate should be more concerned about my safety than my own guards, so there was little to worry about at this moment. But once I set foot on land, the headaches would begin.
The Japanese Shogunate would undoubtedly do its utmost to ensure my safety, but the world is full of madmen, and incidents are bound to happen.
It wouldn’t be strange if some lunatic, like in the historical Ōtsu Incident, came charging at me, brandishing a sword.
Relying on official forces for enhanced security doesn't guarantee absolute safety.
After all, in the Ōtsu Incident itself, the man who swung his sword at the Russian Crown Prince was none other than a Japanese police officer.
What would happen if something similar to the Ōtsu Incident were to occur now?
I could only imagine that the enraged Royal Navy of the British Empire would likely smash every last port in Japan to smithereens.
Given the recent war where they had burned and pillaged the Qing Dynasty’s coastline as if it were their own front yard, the Shogunate was probably on high alert.
And just as I expected, the moment I stepped onto the port of Tokyo, surrounded by the ironclad security of my guards…
“Waaaaaaahhhhh!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
“What… what is this?”
“All hands! Do not panic! Hold the line!”
A great wall of people.
An immense crowd, too large to count, was cheering in our direction.
The Shogunate’s forces maintained strict control, so no one could get close, but even from a distance, it was clear that an endless line of people had gathered.
As I fully disembarked, waiting traditional musicians began to play, and samurai performed a disciplined salute, clearing a path for me to pass.
A middle-aged man, who was clearly in charge of the welcoming ceremony, approached with a broad smile and bowed as if greeting a king.
“Welcome to Edo! This humble one is Sanada Yukitsura, the daimyo of Matsushiro in Shinano! We sincerely welcome the visit of His Highness Killian Tokugawa Gore Hanover, the Prince Consort of the British Empire, and we are truly grateful to be graced with such an honor. The Shogun is eagerly awaiting you, so I shall guide you immediately.”
From what I gathered, not only the daimyo close to the Shogun but also all the highest-ranking officials had turned out to plan this event.
They said such a welcome ceremony wasn't even held for envoys from Joseon or the Qing Dynasty, so it seemed they had truly gone all out.
However, the sight of this impossibly large crowd only made the face of Admiral Parker, who was responsible for my protection, grow increasingly rigid.
I boarded the carriage prepared by the Japanese and, as we headed toward Edo Castle where the Shogun awaited, I leisurely took in the scenery of Edo.
Compared to London, it was, of course, a shabby country town, but recalling my time in Joseon, Edo was surprisingly not of a low standard.
It was clear that even before the Meiji Restoration, a considerable gap in national power had already opened up between Joseon and Japan.
Of course, from the British Empire’s perspective, it was like comparing acorns, six of one and half a dozen of the other, but it was always good to analyze what could be analyzed.
Hoping to gather some information, I turned to Sanada, who was sitting beside me with a reverent posture.
“Will the Shogun be waiting in person when we arrive at Edo Castle?”
“Of course. The Shogun has spared no expense in preparing a lavish reception for Your Highness. All of the most renowned ministers in the Shogunate, the Rōjū, will be in attendance, and even the provincial daimyo have come up to Edo Castle to behold your esteemed face.”
“I see. This is my first time in Edo, and I am overwhelmed by such a warm welcome.”
“Not at all. The fact that Your Highness is a distant relative of the Tokugawa is already famous throughout the archipelago. Therefore, we have prepared this not as a welcome for a stranger, but for a brother returning from a faraway land.”
Judging by the glimmer of admiration in his eyes, this man was clearly unaware that the Tokugawa had fabricated their genealogy.
Either that, or he was an actor worthy of Hollywood, born in the wrong era.
It made me wonder how many people actually knew the Shogun had forged the family records.
If even a close associate like Sanada didn't know, the matter must have been handled with considerable discretion. It seemed I would need to have a private word with the Shogun later to get our stories straight.
“Is there anything I should be aware of? Any customs I should be careful about, or perhaps something I should refrain from doing?”
“There is nothing of the sort. Your Highness is, after all, our invited guest of honor. Ah, however… some of the daimyo, shall we say, do not look kindly upon this nation’s exchange with the West. Of course, I do not believe any ruffian would dare say such a thing in your presence, but should you encounter such individuals, please do not hesitate to inform the Shogun directly. He will take appropriate measures at once.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
It made sense. For a country that had long upheld isolation as its creed, suddenly inviting a foreign dignitary to Edo for a grand reception would surely draw the ire of some.
His mentioning it here suggested it wasn't just a few dissenting daimyo, but that there was a real possibility of some influential figure making an unexpected move.
I was already aware that the current Shogun’s authority was not particularly solid.
Perhaps the Shogun himself wasn't confident in his ability to control all the daimyo at present.
A short while later, as we arrived at Edo Castle, musicians lined up from the entrance began to play, and people from above scattered flower petals.
And, to my surprise, the Shogun—who was said to never personally come outside even for foreign envoys—was seated on a chair placed outdoors, waiting for me to alight from my carriage.
“Welcome! You must have endured great hardship traveling all the way from distant Europe to Edo! Our Shogunate wholeheartedly welcomes His Highness Killian, a distant blood relative of the Tokugawa!”
The Shogun, who had placed particular emphasis on the word ‘Tokugawa,’ glanced at the men lined up on either side before continuing.
“At a time when the dark clouds of war loom over Asia, the visit of His Highness Killian, Prince Consort of Great Britain, to Japan as the first Asian nation is truly significant. I hope that our two nations will continue to maintain our unwavering friendship, just as we do now!”
He said I was the first to visit, but I had already spent a considerable amount of time in Hong Kong. Perhaps he didn't count that since it wasn't a capital.
Strictly speaking, this was my first time meeting the head of an Asian state, so perhaps the Shogun wasn't entirely wrong.
“Since leaving Asia at a young age, this is the first time I have been treated with such dignity. I did not expect the Shogun to come out in person. I am deeply grateful for your hospitality.”
“Not at all. Others may be different, but Your Highness Killian is, after all, a distant relative of mine. Hahaha, it is only natural to welcome a kinsman who has returned after achieving great success in a foreign land. What is this, if not a triumphant return in glory?”
Well, now. He was publicly branding me a Tokugawa at the welcoming ceremony, was he?
Every single word spoken by a man of the Shogun's stature in a public setting had to be seen as having a political purpose.
He couldn't fool me, a man who had swindled countless people with nothing but a sharp eye for social cues.
I smiled amiably and glanced at the group of men the Shogun had been furtively watching for their reactions.
Though they were smiling on the outside, a hint of unease was visible, a clear sign that they weren't entirely pleased with the current situation.
Sanada had mentioned a faction opposed to relations with the West. It was highly probable that these were the men.
The Shogun’s power was currently waning, while the influence of provincial daimyo, especially those from powerful domains like Satsuma and Chōshū, was growing.
Therefore, the Shogun would naturally want to suppress them by any means necessary, and his intention to fully exploit my visit was plain to see.
In other words, the power dynamic between the Shogun and the daimyo could be reversed or maintained depending on my actions.
If I, the Prince Consort of the British Empire and a supposed blood relative of the Tokugawa, were to actively support the Shogun and make a swift move, the disunited powerful domains would be no match. But that would be no fun.
After all, isn't a fight most entertaining to watch when the two sides are evenly matched?
“The Shogun’s warm words feel as if they have instantly washed away all the fatigue from my long journey. Hahaha! I, too, hope that this visit will bring the British Empire and the Shogunate closer together. I believe that as our merchants, politicians, and intellectuals continue to interact, the physical distance between us will prove to be no obstacle to our nations’ friendship.”
“Ah, yes. Interaction… you mean sharing in the friendship between our two nations. Hahaha.”
Though we had agreed to a trade treaty, what would happen if I casually dropped a hint about it in front of everyone, especially those who viewed exchange with the West negatively?
Of course, their anger shouldn't be directed at me, so I had to make it clear that this was all the Shogun's will.
“I only came here feeling as though I were returning to my homeland after a long time, but I had no idea the Shogun would go to such lengths for me. I offer my thanks once again. Not only I, but Her Majesty the Queen was also greatly pleased and said she would actively cooperate with whatever the Shogun wishes to do.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you very much. Perhaps we can discuss that in detail later, when we have time for a separate meeting…”
“Ah! Of course. It seems my excitement got the better of me, and I’ve been chattering away indiscreetly at the welcoming ceremony.”
“Haha, not at all. It’s perfectly understandable. For now, we have prepared fine food and drink, so why don’t you relax and enjoy yourself today to relieve the weariness of your travels? If the food is not to your liking, please do not hesitate to tell us. We have also prepared a Western-style meal with advice from Dutch merchants.”
“Not at all. You have no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to the local cuisine here. I am very fond of both sushi and sake.”
If there was anyone here wearing colored glasses, thinking of me as just another Westerner, they had better watch closely.
I was showing them with my entire being how well-versed and favorable I was toward Japanese culture.
“Is that so? Most Westerners can’t stomach this Edomae-sushi made with seafood, let alone sake. Your Highness is truly different.”
“Of course. It wouldn't do for a man with the name Tokugawa to be unable to eat sushi, would it? Hahaha!”
Speaking fluent Japanese that required no interpreter, I continuously picked up sushi, washed it down with sake, and gave them a thumbs-up, exclaiming, “Sushi is delicious! Sushi is the best!”
“Ahhh, this is delicious. You can’t find seafood this fresh in London. Unfortunately, the Thames has become too polluted. We might get it from the sea, but Europeans can’t eat raw fish. I pity those who don’t know this taste.”
“Oh! To think His Highness Killian is so well-versed in our culture…”
“Excuse me, could I have some more wasabi? With so little, it doesn’t quite have that kick that clears your sinuses.”
“Ah! My apologies. We assumed wasabi wouldn’t suit the palate of someone from the West, so we used it sparingly… I will have more brought immediately!”
The contrast between me and Parker, who grimaced at the mere sight of raw fish and sought only cooked food, was so stark that the gazes of the people watching me gradually shifted from curiosity to favor.
As expected, when it came to winning over the locals, nothing was as effective as pandering to their national pride.
The English gentleman, Killian Tokugawa Gore Hanover.
In a single day, I had become a true celebrity of Tokyo.