The recent arrival of the Kashima and Hatakaze, two ships of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, in Esquimalt for a goodwill visit was only the latest visit by Japanese naval ships to British Columbia.
The first visit took place more than 143 years ago.
Victorians got their first glimpse of the rising Japanese navy in June 1880 when the Tsukuba, a naval training ship, dropped anchor at Esquimalt — the first Japanese ship to dock in British Columbia.
The ship was a former British naval corvette, HMS Malacca, which for a time in the 1860s had been stationed in Esquimalt. The Tsukuba, commanded by Capt. N.H. Arura, took 45 days to reach Victoria from Yokohama, carrying 338 men and boys as well as three English instructors.
The Tsukuba spent three weeks at the British naval base in Esquimalt, occasionally venturing out into open waters for target practice with HMS Triumph.
The visit of the Tsukuba was the first of many visits to Victoria by the Imperial Navy over the coming years. Each occasion was marked by guns firing in salute, receptions, Japanese sailors coming ashore and sometimes a grand ball given to honour the visit.
During the visit of the Tsukuba, the Japanese officers presented a day of entertainment on the main deck, reported at length in the Daily 91原创 of June 23, 1880. Lt.-Gov. Albert Norton Richards and 250 of the elite of Victoria, Esquimalt and vicinity were guests on board for the day, hosted by Arura and his officers.
His Imperial Majesty’s ship was gaily decked with flags in honour of the occasion. The main deck and poop were canopied with bunting and the ship from stem to stern presented a tidy and cleanly appearance.
The officers in their new English uniforms, resplendent with gold lace, and the men in the nice-fitting uniforms of regulation Jack tars were very attractive.
At one end of the main deck was erected a stage, upon which were presented selections from celebrated Japanese dramas by native actors, attired in the costumes of their country.
At 2 p.m. the curtain was rolled back and entertainment began. An orchestra of flute-like wind instruments and percussion sticks accompanied a half-dozen costumed dancers performing traditional summer dances.
Next, two plays were presented. The newspaper article explained that in Japan, women do not act and thus all female parts are filled by males. Young sailors took the parts of old men, serving women, outlaws, ladies and gentlemen.
The first play, A Woman’s Revenge, told the story of a woman whose husband has been killed. She sets out with her faithful servant to find the murderer and seek revenge. After a number of humorous encounters, she meets up with the murderer.
However, instead of anyone being killed, they become fast friends.
The second play performed was a selection from the celebrated drama Chushingura (The Forty-Seven Outlaws). Magic acts followed, including one where a magician swallowed needles and thread and then pulled the needles out threaded.
Other entertainment included juggling, tightrope-walking and more magic. Lastly four men performed a dance that reminded the audience of a minstrel troupe.
After the shows there was dancing to music performed by the British band from the flagship Triumph.
The paper reported: “The Japanese do not dance, but they stood about and took mental notes which they will doubtless store up for use on a future occasion.”
Food and wine flowed in abundance, with waiters dressed in white seeing that the guests lacked nothing. A special spread was set out in the captain’s cabin.
The paper added: “More courteous, urbane or hospitable gentlemen than the Japanese officers could not be found on board any ship. Some spoke excellent English, and all vied with each other in efforts to make the afternoon pass pleasantly … those who attended the affair will not soon forget the afternoon passed on board the Tsukuba.”
In the years that followed the visit of the Tsukuba, many more Japanese naval ships visited Esquimalt. In 1980, One hundred years after the first naval visit, three warships of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force manned by a thousand sailors, arrived at CFB Esquimalt to celebrate the centennial of the first visit.
The provincial government and the Maritime Command 91原创 were the hosts for the celebrations.
